Even Centrists Are Questioning Biden. But the Squad Is Divided.
Progressives in Congress have been some of the most vocal critics of President Joe Biden’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza. They have urged him to end U.S. military funding for Israel and called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. But as questions mount over whether Biden should step down as the party’s presidential nominee and let another Democrat challenge former President Donald Trump, progressives have been anything but unified.
At least four members of the Squad have expressed support for Biden since the first presidential debate. Two have enthusiastically backed him, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., reiterated that Biden was the nominee and said questions to the contrary were “losing the plot.” Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said she and Biden were facing the same fight against extremist Republicans. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., have also affirmed their support.
The boost from progressives comes even as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Wednesday that Biden was running out of time to decide whether to stay in the race.
It has left media outlets asking why the Squad among all Democrats is backing Biden “so forcefully”?
But not all progressives are lining up behind Biden. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., one of the most vocal members criticizing U.S. military support for the war on Gaza, has said she will not endorse the president for reelection. And last week, Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn., said that if Biden decided to step down, she would........
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