Democratic Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota has announced his departure from House Democratic leadership due to his disagreement with the party’s support for President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection bid. Phillips, a moderate Democrat, has been vocal about his belief that Biden should not run for reelection and has even considered launching his own White House bid. In a statement, Phillips explained that his convictions regarding the 2024 presidential race do not align with the majority of his caucus, leading him to step aside from elected leadership.
Phillips praised House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee co-chair Hakeem Jeffries for his principled leadership and expressed gratitude to his colleagues for creating space for his perspectives. He vowed to continue abiding by his convictions, prioritizing the well-being of the American people over politics, and supporting the shared mission of delivering security, opportunity, and prosperity for all Americans. Phillips’ decision to leave his leadership role underscores the growing scrutiny surrounding President Biden’s age. At 80 years old, Biden is the oldest president in American history, and concerns about his physical and mental competence, as well as his ability to understand the next generation’s concerns, have been raised.
Despite these concerns, Biden has dismissed worries about his age and expressed confidence in his ability to lead. He believes that the American electorate will judge him based on his capabilities and has affirmed his readiness to run for reelection. Nevertheless, Phillips’ departure from House Democratic leadership highlights the ongoing internal divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the 2024 presidential race and Biden’s potential candidacy.