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Utah Republican Inches Toward Mitt Romney Senate Challenge

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Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

A prominent Utah lawmaker appears to be gearing up for a Senate bid, potentially teeing up a competitive primary challenge against incumbent Senator Mitt Romney (R).

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson announced Thursday that he is launching an exploratory committee to consider running for Senate, according to reports from Fox News.

“Iโ€™ve really loved the opportunity that weโ€™ve had to keep government small and out of peopleโ€™s lives, itโ€™s part of why Utah is so special,” Wilson said of his time in public office.

He continued, “I really believe that what Washington needs is to be a lot more like Utah. Weโ€™ve got this amazing opportunity to send Utah values back to D.C., and to have a conservative fighter back there, doing things back there the way we do them here in the Beehive State.” 

“Iโ€™ve been in elected office for a while. And one thing that I know is these offices donโ€™t belong to any of us individually, they belong to the people that elect us,” Wilson said.

Wilson added, “And so my decision is going to be based on what I hear from people, what I believe is in the best interest of the state of Utah, and what is, quite frankly, in the best interest of my family.”

Romney has yet to announce if he will run for another term in the Senate but earlier this week filed preliminary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission

Romney wasย the GOP nomineeย in the 2012 presidential election and was defeated by former President Barack Obama. The Republican lawmaker has become a controversial figure within the party over the past years, frequently butting heads with then-President Donald Trump. Romney twice voted to impeach Trump.

This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

Kamala Harris Blames Trump For Border Crisis In First Solo Interview

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Kamala Harris via Wikimedia Commons

Kamala Harris, who has been a key figure in the Biden administrationโ€™s handling of immigration, discussed the ongoing border crisis during a taped interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle. In the interview, which aired Wednesday, Harris acknowledged that the immigration system is broken but expressed confidence in her vague plan to fix it. She once again reiterated her support for a โ€œpathway to citizenship.โ€

โ€œWhen Iโ€™m elected president, if the American people give me the opportunity, I will bring back the bill and sign it into law,โ€ Harris told Ruhle. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan, not only to strengthen border security but also to provide avenues for immigrants to gain citizenship.

However, Harrisโ€™s remarks continue faced criticism. Mediaite’s Colby Hall pointed out that simply repeating clichรฉ talking points in a sit-down interview with a friendly host is unlikely to change public perception that Harris tends to avoid difficult press engagements like the plague:

Hall noted in aย column published Wednesday morningย that Ruhle announced her interview just days after appearing on Real Time with Bill Maher and openly advocating on behalf of Kamala Harris, or more to the point, against Donald Trump.

In another part of the interview, Harris seemed to struggle when asked about the economic concerns of middle-class Americans, yet again referencing her own middle-class upbringing. She also appeared uncertain when questioned about her plan to raise corporate tax rates, especially if Republicans take control of the Senate โ€“ a detail that would greatly affect her ability to push forward left-wing economic policies.

Harrisโ€™ performance in the interview left many wondering whether her administrationโ€™s immigration and economic agendas have been fully thought out.

READ NEXT: Prominent Dem Hits Back Hard: Delivers Fiery Response To Major Legal Development

Trump Sticks His Nose into House Speaker Battle

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Donald Trump is offering his two cents on the unprecedented battle for House Speaker.

In a series of Truth Social tweets, the former President urged Republican lawmakers to vote for Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) after he failed to secure the position through three rounds of voting.

“Some really good conversations took place last night, and itโ€™s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE โ€˜HOUSEโ€™ TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. ITโ€™S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT,” the 2024 presidential candidate continued.

“Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!” Trump predicted.

On Tuesday, the 118th Congress held three rounds of voting for House Speaker, but the California Republican fell short of crossing the 218 vote threshold as 19 Republican hardliners opted to support Rep. Jim Jordan(R-Ohio).

However, despite Trump’s attempts to sway favor back towards McCarthy, lawmakers say even Trump’s endorsement isn’t enough.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) who was among the 19 Republicans to oppose McCarthy, responded to Trump’s endorsement.

“Sad!” Gaetz said in a Wednesday statement. “This changes neither my view of McCarthy nor Trump nor my vote.”

Gaetz has been one of the most prominent figures to declare his opposition to McCarthy’s bid for Speaker and has worked to secure major concessions from the California Republican. However, negotiations have still fallen short and ultimately Rep. Gaetz nominated Rep. Jordan for Speaker during the first round of voting on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the Florida firebrand also sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol on Tuesday questioning why House Speaker candidate McCarthy was already inhabiting the Speakerโ€™s office when he had yet to officially win the position, according to The Hill.

โ€œI write to inform you that the Speaker of the House Office located in the U.S. Capitol Building is currently occupied by Rep. Kevin McCarthy,โ€ Gaetz said in the letter.

โ€œAs of this morning, the 117th Congress adjourned sine die, and a Speaker from the 118th Congress has not been elected,โ€ he continued. โ€œAfter three undeciding votes, no member can lay claim to this office.โ€

Top Democrat Hijacks Senate Floor With Marathon All-Nighter Speech Protesting Trump

By U.S. Army photo by Spc. Vincent Levelev - This image was released by the United States Army with the ID 230711-A-ID763-9272 (next).

Sen.ย Cory Booker launched into a blistering all-night speech late Monday, taking aim at Presidentย Donald Trump andย Elon Musk.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) spoke out against Presidentย Donald Trumpย and Elon Musk on the Senate floor throughout the night after beginning his marathon speech at 7 p.m. Monday.

The senator was still speaking on the floor after 8 a.m. Tuesday, more than 13 hours after he had begun.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) who said he planned to join Booker “for the entirety of his speech,” noted that he was “returning the favor” as Booker joined him when he “launched a filibuster to demand action on gun violence nine years ago.”

Murphy was among the Democrats who provided Booker with some relief by speaking at times to punctuate the marathon session.

Watch:

At around midnight, Booker said he would continue to speak โ€œas long as [he is] physically ableโ€ using the chamberโ€™s open floor time to command attention and spotlight Democratic concerns about the direction of the country.

โ€œIn just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americansโ€™ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy and even our aspirations as a people for โ€” from our highest offices โ€” a sense of common decency,โ€ Booker said. โ€œThese are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.โ€

He continued to blast Trump and Musk for โ€œcomplete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution and the needs of the American people.โ€

Among the key issues Booker hammered: proposed GOP cuts to Medicaid.

โ€œIt is maddeningโ€ฆ to create greater and greater health care crisis,โ€ he said, accusing Republicans of tearing down systems โ€œwith no plan to make it better.โ€

Trump has previously indicated that he will not “touch” Americans’ Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits, but wants to weed out fraud.

While technically not a filibuster โ€” since it hasnโ€™t been tied to any active legislation โ€” Bookerโ€™s speech threatens to delay Senate business, which is set to begin at noon.

Report: Democrats Planning Protests During Trump Speech

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President Donald Trump attends the National Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley.)

Trump’s speech tonight could feature some interesting moments…

The White House brushed off reports that far-left Democrats in Congress are discussing plans to go further than ever to protest and even disrupt President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress

Some Democrat lawmakers are advocating for major disruptions at the event, ranging from outright walkouts to using noisemakers toย drown out Trump’s speech,ย Axios reported Tuesday. Some of the more moderate ideas reportedly floated include carrying egg cartons to highlight costs, carrying protest signs, and coordinating outfits.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital that Trump is prepared for whatever the Democrats might throw at him.

“Democrats behaving like children would be the least surprising news of the night,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital.

According to Fox News, other Democrats discussed plans to storm out of the chamber if Trump crosses certain rhetorical lines, such as discussing gender-confused youths.

“The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way โ€” productively โ€” to express our outrage,” one lawmaker told Axios.

Democrat leaders reportedly encouraged members in closed-door meetings this week to keep their protests civil, however, with many arguing that major outbursts would only help Trump.

“There are definitely a lot of constituents that really want Democrats to disrupt and there are constituents who feel like that just plays into his hands,” another lawmaker told the outlet.

One Democrat โ€“ Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia โ€“ is not planning to attend at all.

“These are not normal times. The challenges my constituents face demand more than sitting in a chamber I revere, listening as if the person addressing our country is not unleashing chaos and cruelty on their lives. I cannot give audience to that,” he said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Connolly also said he’s not attending “In solidarity with federal workers and contractors, who have been treated with unspeakable disregard and disrespect by a president and an oligarch billionaire who do not value their public service.”

Protests at State of the Union speeches and other major presidential events have grown more common and severe in recent years. While Trump’s Tuesday address is not technically a State of the Union address, it follows essentially the same format.

The president is scheduled to speak before allย members of Congressย on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.

Watch HERE:

VP Vance Issues ‘Official’ Two Word Response To Racist Attacks On Wife

By Xuthoria - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

Vice President Vance has had enough…

Vice President JD Vance had two choice words for racist troll Nick Fuentes and others like MS NOW host Jen Psaki, who haveย made comments about the second lady: โ€œEat sโ€“t.โ€

โ€œLet me be clear. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat sโ€“t,โ€ Vance told UnHerd in an interview published Sunday.

โ€œThatโ€™s my official policy as vice president of the United States.โ€

He then told writerย Sohrab Ahmariย that โ€œall forms of ethnic hatredโ€ including antisemitism have โ€œno place in the conservative movement.โ€

Vanceโ€™s response comes after Fuentes bashed him for being a โ€œrace traitorโ€ for marrying his wife;ย Usha Vanceย is an American citizen born in San Diego to two Hindu Indian immigrants. Fuentes has also used derogatory terms about Indians to describe The Second Lady.

Fuentes has made a number ofย racist and antisemitic commentsย over the years, and he told Piers Morgan earlier this month that he believedย Adolf Hitlerย was โ€œreally f*cking cool.โ€ย 

The vice presidentโ€™s comments were published a few hours after he told the crowd at Turning Point USAโ€™s AmericaFest that Presidentย Donald Trumpย had wiselyย โ€œrelegated DEI to the dustbin of history.โ€ย 

Vance said DEI is antithetical to American values and a meritocratic society โ€” which made it an easy target for the second Trump Administration.

โ€œWe donโ€™t treat anybody different because of their race or their sex,โ€ Vance told the Phoenix crowd.

Vance continued his message about unity:

In the United States of America, you donโ€™t have to apologize for being white anymore.

And if youโ€™re an Asian, you donโ€™t have to talk around your skin color when youโ€™re applying for college. Because we judge people based on who they are, not on ethnicity and things they canโ€™t control.

We donโ€™t persecute you for being male, for being straight, for being gay, for being anything. The only thing that we demand is that you be a great American patriot. And if youโ€™re that. youโ€™re very much on our team.

Watch:

Those comments were also well-received by the arena. His remark on white men comes a few days after a viral Compact article reported a number of professional fields had โ€œgatekeepers [who] promised extra consideration to anyone who wasnโ€™t a white man.โ€

Vice President Vance touted a number of accomplishments he said the Trump Administration has had in less than a year, including closing down the southern border. He said the crowd must continue to support the โ€œAmerica First Partyโ€ โ€” echoingย Donald Trump Jr., who earlier in the day said theย Republican Party was no longer a thing.

Trump Jr. said it is a new era for the conservative movement โ€” one that is constantly under attack from the Democratic Party and Republicans In Name Only (RINOs). He said those attacks are ramping up as both parties plow towards the 2026 midterm elections.

Here is what the told the AmFest crowd:

Midterms are coming around the corner and make no mistake, the Democrat Party wants to do whatever they possibly can to shut this movement down. Not just the Democrats. The RINOs.

You see the manufactured attacks onย JD [Vance], myself, my father โ€” anyone who understands that this isnโ€™t the Republican Party anymore. Itโ€™s the America First Party. Itโ€™s the Make America Great Again Party. And we are not going back!

Watch:

John Cusack Compares Trump To ‘Killers Of Christ’ In Easter Post, Sparks Backlash

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Actor John Cusack, once a household name in American cinema, used Easter Sunday to compare President Donald Trump to those who killed Jesus Christ. The post, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, quickly stirred controversy and prompted withering criticism from users across the platform.

Cusack, who achieved A-list status in the late ’80s and ’90s with films like “Say Anything,” “High Fidelity” and “Grosse Pointe Blank,” has become better known in recent years for his political commentary than his acting work. Heโ€™s been a persistent critic of both Hollywoodโ€™s corporate culture and right-leaning political figures, often using sweeping, inflammatory language to make his points.

Breitbart’s Warner Todd Huston provides further information and corrects the actor’s historical narrative:

Of course, Cusackโ€™s simple-minded framing of the death of Jesus Christ is not entirely correct. Jesus was not crucified merely for โ€œpolitics.โ€ The Jewish leaders who conspired to eliminate Jesus were incensed that he had called himself the Son of God and, therefore, a divine figure. They felt he was engaging in blasphemy. And the Romans prosecuted him for claiming to be โ€œKing of the Jews.โ€ That was a crime in their eyes because only Caesar could be king. The question of Christโ€™s divinity was not as incidental as Cusack wants to make it seem.

Certainly, Jesus also threatened the political power of the Jewish leaders. But the Romans were somewhat indifferent and did not feel he was all that much of a political threat to them. So, obviously there was a political aspect to the whole thing, but to say it was all just a โ€œpolitical calculationโ€ is an oversimplification. There was also deep religious context to it all.

The Say Anything star is a constant presence on social media where he often engages in wild-eyed, hate-filled attacks on Donald Trump and anyone else who opposes Cusackโ€™s extremist opinions.

Last month, for instance, Cusack once again broke out his tired โ€œNaziโ€ epithets by calling Tesla chief Elon Musk a โ€œNaziโ€ who is โ€œliterally killing peopleโ€ for heading up Donald Trumpโ€™s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and looking for ways to cut the bloated and out-of-control federal budget.

Reactions on Social Media

The reaction to Cusackโ€™s Easter post was swift. Many users mocked the statement, calling it โ€œunhingedโ€ and labeling the actor a โ€œnut job.โ€ Others accused him of being out of touch with everyday Americans and using religion as a tool for political attacks.

While Cusack has long aligned himself with progressive causes and anti-establishment rhetoric, critics argue that these kinds of extreme comparisons do more to alienate than persuade. Some pointed out the irony of invoking a religious holiday to make a hyperbolic political statement, particularly one that equates a democratically-elected president to biblical villains.

A Career Shifted from Blockbusters to Activism

Once a reliable lead in major Hollywood films, Cusackโ€™s presence on screen has waned over the past two decades. Though he maintains a devoted fan base and occasional roles in direct-to-video flicks, his voice is now more commonly heard online, where he frequently engages in political debates and ad hominem attacks on his political opponents.

His legacy as a cultural figure from the ’80s and ’90s remains intact, but his recent public statements continue to polarize. Whether this latest post was an attempt to spark discussion or simply another instance of performative outrage, itโ€™s clear Cusack remains committed to using his platform, even if it means drawing fire in the process.

READ NEXT: White House Responds To Report Itโ€™s Seeking New Top Cabinet Official

Marjorie Taylor Greene Reportedly Prepping For 2028 Presidential Run

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is reportedly considering a run for president in 2028 โ€” a move that, if realized, could reshape the Republican Partyโ€™s post-Trump era and test the staying power of the โ€œAmerica Firstโ€ movement.

According to a new report from Notus, Greene has privately expressed interest in following in Donald Trumpโ€™s footsteps to the White House. The outlet cites four sources familiar with her thinking, saying Greene believes she represents the โ€œreal MAGAโ€ faction โ€” the core conservative movement that has reshaped the GOP since 2016 โ€” and that many Republican leaders have drifted away from those grassroots values.

One source told Notus that Greene feels confident she has built the national donor network and grassroots support needed to mount a serious primary campaign, especially as the GOPโ€™s base remains loyal to Trumpโ€™s populist agenda.


Building a National Brand

While Greene has long been a lightning rod for criticism from the left, sheโ€™s also gained national recognition for her unapologetic defense of conservative causes โ€” from border security to religious freedom, from cutting wasteful spending to standing up against what she calls the โ€œweaponizationโ€ of government against political opponents.

In recent months, Greene has sought to expand her reach beyond the hardcore MAGA base. Sheโ€™s made high-profile appearances on Bill Maherโ€™s โ€œReal Timeโ€ on HBO, The View, and CNN, signaling an effort to engage audiences outside of conservative media. Her willingness to enter unfriendly territory underscores her confidence and desire to make the case for conservative principles in front of skeptics.

As one GOP strategist told Notus, โ€œSheโ€™s trying to take the MAGA message to a national stage โ€” not just to Republicans, but to all Americans who feel Washington is broken.โ€


Criticizing the GOPโ€™s Lack of Direction

Greene has also been unafraid to criticize her own party when she believes it has lost focus. On Real Time, she expressed frustration with Republicans who, after years of campaigning to repeal and replace Obamacare, โ€œstill donโ€™t have a plan.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m angry about that,โ€ Greene said on the show, adding that conservatives need to deliver tangible results, not just rhetoric.

In recent weeks, she has also called out male Republican members of Congress as โ€œweakโ€ for caving to establishment pressure, blasted the GOP for having โ€œno planโ€ to avoid government shutdown chaos, and criticized the partyโ€™s leadership for not pushing harder to release Jeffrey Epstein files, saying Americans deserve transparency and truth.


A Populist in the Trump Mold

Those close to Greene describe her as both fiercely loyal to Donald Trump and equally committed to ensuring his populist movement survives beyond him. She was one of Trumpโ€™s earliest and most vocal defenders during both impeachments and remains one of his strongest allies in Congress.

At the same time, Greene has worked to develop her own national voice, one that emphasizes restoring American sovereignty, rebuilding manufacturing, reducing foreign entanglements, and protecting traditional values that she argues have been under assault from both the left and establishment Republicans.

The 2028 Question

When asked directly about a presidential run during an appearance on comedian Tim Dillonโ€™s podcast last October, Greene laughed off the speculation โ€” but didnโ€™t shut it down entirely.

โ€œOh my goodness. I hate politics so much, Tim,โ€ she said. โ€œPeople are saying that, and Iโ€™ve seen a few people saying โ€˜sheโ€™s runningโ€™โ€ฆ What Iโ€™m doing right now is I very much want to fix problems. Thatโ€™s honestly all I care about.โ€

Still, those familiar with her thinking say Greeneโ€™s ambitions go beyond her congressional seat. With her growing national platform, fundraising power, and ability to command headlines, she could emerge as one of the most influential Republican figures in the post-Trump era โ€” whether she runs in 2028 or not.

In August, President Donald Trump made his clearest endorsement yet for a future Republican presidential candidate, declaring that Vice President JD Vance is โ€œmost likelyโ€ to carry the MAGA torch after his second term ends.

Trump described Vance as โ€œprobably the favoriteโ€ to lead the Republican Party into the next election cycle.

โ€œHeโ€™s most likely the heir,โ€ Trump said, referring to Vance. โ€œHe understands the movement, he understands the people, and heโ€™s doing a phenomenal job as Vice President.โ€

Trump also praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling him โ€œsomebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form,โ€ suggesting Rubio could play a key role in a future Vance-led administration or campaign.

Rubio, for his part, echoed Trumpโ€™s praise of Vance during a recent interview with Lara Trump on Fox News.

โ€œI think heโ€™s doing a great job as Vice President. Heโ€™s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it,โ€ Rubio said of Vance.

Although recent polling has shown Rubio with some early support among Republican voters for a potential 2028 run, conventional political wisdom indicates he wouldnโ€™t start publicly signaling interest in running for president until much closer to the election.

โ€œYou never know what the future holds,โ€ Rubio said. โ€œBut if Iโ€™m able to finish this term strong and we accomplish what weโ€™ve set out to do, Iโ€™ll be satisfied with that as the apex of my public service career.โ€

New Jersey Governor Declares War On Trump Admin.

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Despite Donald Trump’s landslide victory, Democrat Governors are already planning ways to hinder the incoming administration.

In a Q&A following President-elect Trumpโ€™s victory, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy warned he will “fight to the death” against the administration if he detects behavior “contrary to our values.”

“[A]s we respect the peaceful transition of power, if there is any attack on the Garden State or any of its communities from Washington, I will fight back with every fiber of my being,” Murphy said.

“If thereโ€™s an opportunity for common ground, we will seize that as fast as anybody,” he conversely added. 

Watch:

State Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Hackettstown) told Fox News Digital that Murphy is “missing the message” voters sent Tuesday with the initial rhetoric.

“Itโ€™s time for the governor to recognize that his values may not reflect the values of New Jerseyans as widely as he assumes,” he said.

“While Murphy is prepared to spend resources on political battles with Trump, itโ€™s hard to see how that aligns with the priorities of struggling families, working taxpayers and business owners who want more focus on their needs,” DiMaio said.

Another Democrat Joins Call Pushing to Replace Party Leadership

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

Are Democrat leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer’s days in office numbered? Now even their own party hopes so.

The two Democrats, 82 and 71 respectively, have been experiencing an increase in calls to retire over the past months, not just from Republican critics but from members of their own party as well.

More and more Democrats have been calling for “new blood” in the party and for senior leaders to step down to make it happen. The calls come as the party continues to trend leftward and experiences a surge in success for more progressive candidates.

Now, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) has joined the handful of outspoken Democrats calling for new candidatesย in both Congress and the White House, according to The Washington Examiner.

“I have been very vocal, including with my own leadership in the House, that we need a new generation,โ€ Slotkin told NBCโ€™s Meet the Press on Sunday. โ€œWe need new blood, period, across the Democratic Party โ€” in the House, the Senate, and the White House. I think that the country has been saying that

Rep. Slotkin’s comments follow similar remarks by Democrats yearning for new faces in the party.

President Joe Biden’s age, 79, has been of increasing concern over the past months as his blunders continue to attract negative attention. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called on the president not to seek another term in the White House, but so far Biden has yet to officially make an announcement. However, the continued chatter surrounding Biden’s age has invited speculation about whether Democrats will support the President’s next campaign.

Over the summer, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) said he wouldnโ€™t back Biden for a reelection bid, making him one of the first sitting Democrat members of Congress to say directly that he wouldnโ€™t back a second term for the president.

โ€œI have respect for Joe Biden. I think he has โ€” despite some mistakes and missteps, despite his age โ€” I think heโ€™s a man of decency, of good principle, of compassion, of empathy, and of strength. But to answer your question directly, which I know is quite rare, no, I donโ€™t,” Phillips told WCCO in July.