Ex-Obama Official Castro Calls for Biden's Removal as Democratic Nominee

Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro urges Democrats to replace President Biden with a more viable candidate to defeat former President Trump.

Former Obama administration official Julián Castro has joined the chorus of voices calling for President Biden to be replaced as the Democratic nominee, citing concerns about his fitness for office and ability to beat former President Trump.

Castro, who served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama, made his comments on MSNBC on Tuesday. He argued that Trump is vulnerable due to personal corruption and felony convictions, but that Democrats are stuck defending Biden's "baggage" in the wake of his feeble debate performance and growing questions and reports about cognitive decline.

Ex-Obama Official Castro Calls for Biden's Removal as Democratic Nominee

"If you switch candidates, that's a different story," Castro said. "You're able to prosecute the case against Trump with the candidate, and also you're focused on Trump's baggage instead of anything on the Democratic side. Yes, I believe there are stronger options out there for Democrats. We have a stable of folks that I think could do a better job, including Vice President Harris, who today in a poll was within two points of Donald Trump, whereas President Biden was six points behind Donald Trump."

Castro dismissed concerns about Biden's age, noting that he had already been trying to become the oldest president in American history when he ran in 2020. He pointed instead to Biden's rough debate showing, marked by trailed-off sentences, a raspy voice, and at times nonsensical statements.

Ex-Obama Official Castro Calls for Biden's Removal as Democratic Nominee

"This has been coming for a long time," Castro said. "Biden is not the campaigner that he was in 2020, and the debate was just one more indicator of this."

Castro's call for Biden's replacement adds to a growing chorus of voices within the Democratic Party. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to say Biden should not seek re-election on Tuesday, out of fear he would deliver the White House back to Trump. The New York Times editorial board, elite newspaper columnists, co-hosts of "The View," and multiple figures on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" have also called for Biden to not seek a second term.

Ex-Obama Official Castro Calls for Biden's Removal as Democratic Nominee

Biden's team has so far not budged on him remaining the nominee. However, the increased pressure from within his own party raises questions about his ability to secure the presidency again in 2024.