Democrats hold meeting on Biden campaign after Trump debate | Wilnesh News

House Democrats held a critical closed-door meeting at the national party headquarters in Washington on Tuesday as members weighed whether to continue supporting President Joe Biden’s re-election bid or seek his withdrawal from the race.

Lawmakers were barred from using cellphones during the meeting, which was the first full caucus meeting since Biden’s disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump in June sparked a sweeping campaign crisis.

Many members declined to answer reporters’ questions as they filed out of the building after Tuesday morning’s meeting.

“I promise I won’t talk about what was said,” Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., told NBC News as he left.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, told Axios reporters, Some members Said at caucuses that Biden should withdraw. A spokesman for Cohen did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request to confirm the comment.

Biden’s weak, strident performance at the debate stoked panic among Democrats, prompting some top donors, experts and allies to publicly urge the 81-year-old Biden to abandon his bid for a fourth term.

The growing chorus includes at least According to NBC’s count, eight sitting House Democrats.

New Jersey Rep. Jerry Nadler, who has also called on Biden to withdraw, said on Tuesday that he now supports the sitting president.

“I fully support him. I plan to campaign for him. It’s vital that he wins,” Nadler says.

So far, few other House Democrats, and no Democratic senators, are willing to join them in calling for a change in the top order of ballots — an extremely dangerous move with less than four months until Election Day .

Biden has resisted calls to step down, saying he believes he remains the best candidate to challenge Trump in the presidential election. Since the debate, he has worked to drum up support from key groups, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Democratic leaders issued brief statements endorsing the candidacy of Biden and Harris.

“The day after the debate, I made it publicly clear that I support President Biden and the Democratic ticket. My position has not changed,” New York House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters Monday night.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he supports Biden.

Senate Democrats are scheduled to hold a caucus lunch Tuesday afternoon.

Outside the Democratic National Committee building, some protesters wearing sunglasses and suits carried signs in all-caps asking: “Is Joe Biden fit for office?!”

The protesters said they were from the National Republican Campaign Committee, Politico reported.

This is developing news. Please check back for updates.