Adam Schiff joins calls for Biden to suspend 2024 bid: ‘The stakes are too high’

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is calling on President Joe Biden to suspend his campaign for reelection as concerns grow within the Democratic base regarding his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump.

Schiff praised Biden’s legacy in a statement to the LA Times, calling him “one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history” and his service as a senator, vice president, and president has “made our country better.”

“But our nation is at a crossroads,” he said. “A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November.”

Schiff added that the  “choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone,” but the congressman believes it is time for Biden “to pass the torch” and “secure his legacy of leadership” by allowing another Democrat to step forward and beat Trump.

“I will do everything I can to help them succeed,” Schiff, who is running for the Senate seat vacated by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said. “There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump. The stakes are just too high.”

Schiff’s call for Biden to withdraw from the race comes after the congressman reportedly met with donors over the weekend and warned them that Democrats would suffer significant losses this November if Biden remains the party’s presidential nominee.

“I think if he is our nominee, I think we lose,” Schiff said during the meeting, a person with access to a transcription of a recording of the event told the New York Times. “And we may very, very well lose the Senate and lose our chance to take back the House.”

Schiff is the 20th congressional Democrat to call on Biden to pass the torch to a new nominee. He joins 19 of his fellow House colleagues and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT).

The Washington Examiner reached out to Schiff’s campaign for comment.