Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., repeatedly dodged questions on Sunday about his potential role in President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
During an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” host Robert Costa pressed Schumer about a private meeting with Biden on July 13 in Delaware, just over a week before the President’s surprise withdrawal.
“Senator, on July 13, you went to Delaware to meet with President Biden. It was a private discussion, and I know you like to keep your discussions with the president private,” Costa asked. “But that, for history, was a very momentous meeting in the sense that you were the Senate Democratic leader, the majority leader, meeting with the president to discuss the presidential race. For history, for the record, did you in any way suggest to the president that he should leave the presidential race on July 13?”
Schumer deflected and tried to talk up the unpopular Biden’s legacy.
“Well, first, let’s look at President Biden’s record. He’s had one of the most amazing presidencies we’ve had in decades, passing so many good things. The infrastructure bill, the IRA bill, getting the price of prescription drugs down for the first time, going against the NRA successfully, helping our veterans with burn pits.”
When Costa followed up, asking specifically about Schumer’s intentions during the July 13 meeting. Schumer refused to answer.
“Yeah. I’m not going to get into the specifics, but he can – President Biden will walk away from the presidency with his head held high because of all the great things he’s done, and because he put America first. He always has,” Schumer responded.
Recent report suggested that Schumer and other prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had “forcefully” told Biden he needed to bow out of the race.
Biden formerly announced his stunning decision to drop out of the race on July 21, 2024, via a letter posted on social media.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president,” Biden wrote. “While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
Biden and the establishment Democrats like Schumer and Pelosi quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on former President Donald Trump, who is dominating election polls.