‘It’s time to come together’: Biden tells Democratic lawmakers that he should stay in 2024 race

President Biden faces internal party drama as Democrats debate his candidacy, with lawmakers divided on his future.

U.S. President Joe Biden, in a letter to congressional Democrats, continued to stand firm against calls for him to drop his candidacy and called for an “end” to the intra-party drama that has torn apart Democrats about whether he should stay in the race.

In the two-page letter, Mr. Biden wrote that “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end”. He stressed that the party has “one job” — defeating presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.

“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Mr. Biden said in the letter. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.” The letter was sent from the campaign to Democratic lawmakers as they return to Washington following the July 4 recess.

Deeply torn over Mr. Biden’s candidacy, Democratic lawmakers return to Washington at a pivotal moment as they decide whether to work to revive his campaign or edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his reelection and their own political futures.

Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Mr. Biden to step aside after his dismal debate performance and defiant response to the uproar.

At the same time, some of the President’s most staunch supporters insist there is no one better than Mr. Biden to beat Mr. Trump.

As lawmakers weigh whether Mr. Biden should stay or go, there appear to be no easy answers in sight. It is a tenuous and highly volatile juncture for the president’s party. Democrats who have worked alongside Mr. Biden for years — if not decades — and cherished his life’s work on policy priorities are now entertaining uncomfortable questions about his political future. And it’s unfolding as Mr. Biden hosts world leaders for the NATO summit this week in Washington.