Democrats have put their efforts to replace President Biden on hold following the assassination attempt against former President Trump, with some lawmakers accepting the possibility of a second Trump presidency.
In the aftermath of the harrowing assassination attempt on former President Trump, the Democratic Party has paused its efforts to replace President Biden as their 2024 nominee, according to Axios.
The Democrats' growing concerns over Biden's cognitive decline and his ability to defeat Trump in the election have been overshadowed by their focus on their own safety and the need for unity amidst a nation reeling from the attack.
Biden-Trump Assassination Attempt Unites Democrats, Pauses Push to Replace Nominee
A House Democrat who has been critical of Biden told Axios, "We're all just focused on expressing condolences ... and keeping our teams safe." Politics, they said, has taken a backseat to the national tragedy.
Another Democratic lawmaker said the country's environment is too "chaotic" for internal political disputes. "An American is dead, a former President and others are wounded, and a shell-shocked country is left wondering how to restore reason and respect," said Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn.
Biden-Trump Assassination Attempt Unites Democrats, Pauses Push to Replace Nominee
While questions linger about Biden's ability to govern for another four years, Democratic lawmakers told Axios, "I don't think that's the focus right now."
When asked whether the suspension of the push to replace Biden would extend until the Democratic National Convention next month, a senior Democratic lawmaker told Axios, "We've all resigned ourselves to a second Trump presidency."
Biden-Trump Assassination Attempt Unites Democrats, Pauses Push to Replace Nominee
Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday night, saying that the attempted assassination should force Americans to "take a step back" and calling on all sides to "lower the temperature in our politics."
Trump was hit as multiple shots were fired towards the stage from an elevated position near the outdoor venue where he was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. The bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear before Secret Service agents rushed him off the stage.
Biden-Trump Assassination Attempt Unites Democrats, Pauses Push to Replace Nominee
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by a Secret Service sniper soon after opening fire.
Biden said that the parties need to "resolve our differences at the ballot box" and called for Americans to "get out of our silos." "Let's remember here in America, our unity is the most elusive of all goals right now," he said.
The Biden campaign on Saturday night announced it would be pausing all outbound communications and pulling down their campaign ads targeting Trump. The campaign was in the middle of a $50 million ad blitz this month.
The attempted assassination has also prompted the Democratic Party to unify in support of Trump's recovery. "Our prayers are with President Trump, the injured, and the families of those who have been affected," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison. "This attack is a reminder that our democracy is fragile and must be protected."
