Schumer, Pelosi intensify calls for Biden to resign

Pelosi tells Biden he cannot defeat Trump and president could destroy the Democrats' chances of winning House of Reps

WASHINGTON:

Top Democrats including US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have increased pressure on President Joe Biden to withdraw from his reelection campaign over concerns he cannot defeat Republican challenger Donald Trump, US media reported on Wednesday.

Schumer told Biden in a meeting on Saturday it would be better for the country and the Democratic Party if he ended his reelection campaign, ABC News reported.

US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed similar views directly to Biden, ABC News reported, citing a source familiar with the conversation.

CNN reported on Wednesday that Pelosi, too, has told Biden polling shows he cannot defeat Trump and that the president could destroy the Democrats' chances of winning back control of the House of Representatives.

Pelosi spoke to Biden in a recent telephone call, CNN reported, citing four sources briefed on the call. None of the sources indicated Pelosi told Biden he should leave the race, CNN said.

Biden responded by telling Pelosi he has seen polling indicating he can win, according to one CNN source.

A Pelosi spokesperson told CNN that Pelosi has not spoken to Biden since Friday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Democratic US Representative Adam Schiff became the 20th congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to drop out of the race.

Schumer's office responded to the report about his meeting with the president with a statement calling it "idle speculation" and said Schumer "conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden on Saturday."

The White House says President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Jeffries' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

Biden has repeatedly rejected calls from Democrats to drop out of the race after his halting performance in a debate last month against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"The President told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families," White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement.