Rep. Lloyd Doggett is first Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step down as party’s nominee

A Democratic House congressman has become the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to resign as the Democratic presidential nominee, citing Biden’s performance during the debate as a sign that he “has not effectively defended his many accomplishments.”

WASHINGTON — A Democratic House congressman has become the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to resign as the Democratic presidential nominee, citing Biden’s performance during the debate as a sign that he “has not effectively defended his many accomplishments.”

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas said in a statement Tuesday that Biden “must make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw.”

“My decision to make these strong reservations public was not taken lightly, and it in no way diminishes my respect for all that President Biden has accomplished,” Doggett said. “Recognizing that President Biden, unlike Trump, has always been committed to our country first, not to himself, I hope he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully urge him to do so.”