Biden Faces Mounting Pressure to Withdraw Amid Concerns Over Cognitive Decline

Amid increasing pressure from within his own party, President Biden has declared he has "not going anywhere" despite concerns about his cognitive health raised by lawmakers who have interacted with him.

In a defiant speech at the White House's Fourth of July celebration, President Biden vowed to remain in office, dismissing calls from within his own party to step down due to concerns about his cognitive health.

These concerns have been escalating in recent months, reaching a tipping point after Biden's perceived shaky performance at last week's Democratic primary debate. Anonymous Democratic lawmakers, speaking to NBC News, described witnessing concerning behavior from the president, including memory lapses and signs of cognitive decline.

Biden Faces Mounting Pressure to Withdraw Amid Concerns Over Cognitive Decline

One lawmaker noted Biden's "exceedingly tired" demeanor during meetings, while another recalled his "frail and weak" appearance after the State of the Union address. These observations contradicted the positive assessments of Biden's performance by political allies and liberal media outlets.

The debate performance, which saw Biden appear weak and feeble next to his GOP rival Donald Trump, further reinforced concerns about his age and fitness for office. As a result, a group of 40 Democratic lawmakers have been texting each other, expressing their belief that it's time for the president to step aside.

Biden Faces Mounting Pressure to Withdraw Amid Concerns Over Cognitive Decline

The Biden campaign has been engaged in damage control with major donors, as political allies, high-profile donors, media pundits, and editorial boards have urged him to withdraw from the race. However, Biden has resisted these calls, stating his intention to remain in office.

Despite Biden's declaration, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a barrage of questions about the president's fitness for office during a press briefing. She dismissed concerns about the debate performance as a "bad night," but anonymous Democratic lawmakers maintained that it was consistent with worrying behavior they have observed over the past two and a half years.

Biden Faces Mounting Pressure to Withdraw Amid Concerns Over Cognitive Decline

Some lawmakers, such as Senator Chris Coons, have expressed confidence in Biden's abilities, describing him as "sharp, engaged, and energetic" in a recent phone call. The Biden campaign has also cited endorsements from Democratic lawmakers and governors, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Newsom, after a closed-door meeting with Biden, assured his supporters that he is fit for office, despite disappointment over the debate outcome.

However, the concerns raised by anonymous Democratic lawmakers highlight an ongoing rift within the party over Biden's cognitive health. As the campaign progresses, it remains to be seen whether these concerns will continue to escalate or fade away.