Biden Visits Texas, Faces Calls to Step Down

Embattled President Joe Biden arrives in Austin on Monday, amid growing calls from Texas Democrats for him to step down as the party's 2024 nominee. Biden, marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, signed by LBJ, will be notably missing some key Democratic figures by his side.

"If he makes a decision to stay, then so be it. We have to make the best of that...And we need to do everything possible to make sure that that does not affect our down-ballot races in Texas, some critical down-ballot races that will decide the future of Texas." - State Democratic chairman, Gilberto Hinojosa.

Hinojosa, when asked directly if Biden should be the nominee, replied:

"I want to make sure that the person that has the best chance of beating Donald Trump is at the top of the ticket."

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, the first prominent Texas Democrat to call for Biden's resignation, will also be absent, as will U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, due to scheduling conflicts.

Five former Democratic Congress members from Texas sent a letter to Biden, asking him to gracefully step aside and "allow a new nominee to be considered".

Biden, however, vowed to stay in the race, insistent that he is the best Democrat to defeat Trump.

A Historic Anniversary

Biden's visit to the LBJ Library commemorates the 1964 Act that outlawed segregation. The event also echoes former President Johnson's final public appearance in 1972, where he expressed hope for lasting racial equality:

"Let us close the springs of racial poison. Let us pray for wise and understanding hearts. Let us lay aside irrelevant differences and make our nation whole." - President Lyndon B. Johnson, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154546691878780

A decade ago, former President Obama, and former Presidents G.W. Bush, Clinton, and Carter attended the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the LBJ Library.