Many Republicans swiftly demanded President Joe Biden’s resignation following his announcement on Sunday that he would withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. They argued that Biden’s decision to step aside confirmed their concerns about his cognitive fitness to serve as president, an issue highlighted by his underwhelming performance in last month’s debate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Congress, declared, “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must resign immediately. November 5 cannot come soon enough,” referring to Election Day.
Despite Biden’s statement that he would remain in office until the end of his term in January, the White House later reaffirmed his intention to serve out his term and continue delivering results for the American people.
Throughout Sunday afternoon, leading Republicans intensified their calls for Biden’s resignation and launched fresh criticisms at Vice President Kamala Harris, who would assume the presidency if Biden resigns. Biden has endorsed Harris as the next Democratic nominee.
Republican Representative Elise Stefanik echoed Johnson’s call, stating, “He must immediately resign.”
Donald Trump, Biden’s 2024 rival, responded to the announcement by claiming Biden was “not fit to serve from the very beginning,” but did not explicitly call for his resignation. Senator Steve Daines of Montana, chair of the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to effectively carry out his presidential duties.
Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma went a step further, suggesting that Biden should be removed from office using the 25th Amendment—a rarely invoked provision to replace a president who cannot fulfill their duties.
With speculation mounting about Biden’s potential departure, many in the political sphere were not surprised by his decision to withdraw from the race. His performance in the June 27 debate, marked by incoherence and memory lapses, had already raised questions about his capacity to serve another term.
Though Democrats and major donors had encouraged Biden to withdraw from the race due to concerns about his performance, they had not called for his resignation. The last president to withdraw from an election campaign, Lyndon B. Johnson, also completed his term, citing a focus on presidential duties as his reason.
As pressure on Biden increased, Republicans became more vocal. Hours before Biden’s announcement, Trump’s new running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, suggested that Biden’s decision was an acknowledgment of Trump’s criticisms about his mental fitness.
Republicans have also prepared to challenge Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy, given that she is the most likely successor. Trump campaign sources are reportedly readying attack ads and opposition research.
Much of the criticism directed at Harris focuses on her role in immigration issues. Speaker Johnson labeled her “a completely inept border czar” and accused her of participating in a cover-up of Biden’s issues. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, known for his hardline stance on immigration, expressed concerns about Harris’s potential presidency, suggesting that stronger border measures would be necessary.
Donald Trump Jr. criticized Harris, stating, “Kamala Harris owns the entire left-wing policy record of Joe Biden. The only difference is that she is even more liberal and less competent than Joe, which is really saying something.”