‘Squad’ members throw Biden lifeline as prominent progressives back president in reelection fight

Progressive Democrats, such as Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have thrown their support behind President Joe Biden to remain at the top of their party’s ticket, while others have stayed silent.

Some members of the “Squad,” a group of young progressive House Democrats, have come out in support of Biden as numerous Democrats call for him to step down. Biden has spent the last week or so fending off calls from those concerned about his mental acuity and electability following his lackluster debate performance.

“I have spoken to the president over the weekend. I have spoken with him extensively. He made clear then and he has made clear since that he is in this race,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “The matter is closed.”

Omar has also affirmed her support for Biden, even going so far as to cut him into one of her own campaign ads.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) said she supports Biden and that the focus of the race should come back to Democrats beating former President Donald Trump.

Other Squad Democrats have yet to support Biden publicly or call for him to step down. None of Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Cori Bush (D-MO), or Maxwell Frost (D-FL), who have all been critical of the president for his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, have yet to comment publicly one way or the other.

The chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), put out a statement Monday to highlight the diverse viewpoints of the caucus.

“It is true that Democrats are having many conversations among our members and our constituents as we consider the best path forward to protect our Democrats,” Jayapal said.

“As CPC Chair, I am listening carefully to the thoughts of our members from all over the country—in swing and safe states and districts—as we work to ensure we defeat Donald Trump and win the House and Senate,” she continued.

While she did not endorse Biden nor call for him to step aside, she did say that both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris “were elected by the voters and have had remarkable accomplishments.”

Jayapal told the Associated Press that Biden was expected to meet with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus this week.

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Ahead of House members coming back to work in Washington, D.C., this week, Biden penned a letter to Democrats reiterating his commitment to staying in the presidential race.

“The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now,” Biden wrote. “It’s time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump.”