Infighting in the Democratic Party is seemingly continuing — even after the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally.
Recently, Democrat House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shot back at a report that featured a quote from an anonymous senior Democrat. This senior lawmaker had a response about what we all can expect after Trump’s shooting — and AOC didn’t agree with it.
A Shooting at Trump’s Rally
On Saturday, a man attempted to shoot at the former president at one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. Though the shooter was unsuccessful, Trump revealed he had been shot through the ear, where he was grazed.
This event quickly led to many on both sides of the political aisle sending their thoughts and prayers to Trump. Many leaders also expressed their desire to see political debates and disagreements toned down.
A Change in the Race?
After it was revealed that the former president was safe and fine, many political analysts began to theorize how this deadly event could change the 2024 presidential race.
Various commentators have claimed that this could end up leading to Trump jumping in the polls — and, eventually, winning the White House come November.
A Shift of Perspective
One report further revealed that many members of Congress are worried about their safety, as well as the safety of their staff, after this incident.
This has shifted the perspective away from winning the presidential election — and away from possibly replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party nominee — for the time being. Now, many are simply focusing on making sure all safety protocols are being followed, in case violence continues.
Allowing Trump to Become President?
This reporting also revealed how some senior Democrats feel about the election now. One lawmaker even insinuated that they were fine with Trump becoming president, as they don’t think they can stop him now.
One anonymous senior House Democrat reportedly said, “We’ve all resigned ourselves to a second Trump presidency.”
Not Focusing on Biden
This lawmaker further explained that they’re no longer as concerned about Biden and whether or not he’ll truly stay as the party’s presidential nominee. Now, they feel this doesn’t matter — even if it means they’ll lose the White House in November.
Instead, this senior Democrat said that they’re focusing on their staff’s safety, as well as their own.
AOC Criticizes Senior Lawmaker
This comment infuriated Ocasio-Cortez — and she took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to publicly reveal her criticism of this anonymous Democrat.
“If you’re a ‘senior Democrat’ that feels this way, you should absolutely retire and make space for true leadership that refuses to resign themselves to fascism,” she wrote on X.
Helping Americans
Ocasio-Cortez also stated that this leader isn’t thinking about helping Americans at all. Therefore, they should retire.
“This kind of leadership is functionally useless to the American people,” she said. “Retire.”
Becoming Unified
Ocasio-Cortez’s comment comes largely as many other main Democrats and Republicans have attempted to strike a unified tone and tone down some political fights — with a few notable exceptions.
Biden’s Oval Office address also discussed respecting each other and creating change through the ballot box, rather than with bullets.
Biden’s Democratic Party Problems
The attempt on Trump’s life has come during a period where Biden has faced increasing calls by his own party members to step aside and leave the presidential race after his disastrous debate performance.
So far, Biden has refused all of these calls. He has said he will not step down, regardless of how others in his party feel.
An Uncertain Future for Biden
After this deadly event, many analysts have theorized that Democrats may finally stop trying to push Biden out, as there are bigger issues and various safety concerns many are thinking of instead.
However, others simply think this event has brought a lull, and that the attempt to get Biden to leave the race will pick up steam again in the next few weeks.
AOC Steadily Backs Biden
Interestingly, Ocasio-Cortez, one of the more prominent so-called progressives of Congress, has steadily backed the president throughout this Democratic infighting.
This fact has surprised many, especially as she has been critical of Biden in the past. However, Ocasio-Cortez’s vocal and strong support for Biden has led to many of her own supporters blasting her moves.
Democrat Party in Chaos
On July 18, Politico reported on “fiery private chats” that were exchanged in the wake of President Biden’s debate performance, which was widely seen as negative.
The messages shared between California delegates to the Democrat nominating convention exposed chaos in the party and deep anxiety at Biden’s ability to win.
Stepping Down
DNC delegate Susan Bolle called for Biden to step down days after the debate in a Facebook group.
“Obviously, the first step would be that President Biden steps down of his own accord and frees his delegates,” Bolle said. “We should discuss this. This is a painful experience on every level, but we play an outsized role in history this election. This cannot be left to chance.”
Supporting Kalama Harris
Democrats who want Biden to step down have started to coalesce around the idea of Vice President Harris taking over the ticket.
“Kamala isn’t the strongest overall but logistically it’d be the cleanest,” wrote Nico Brancolini, vice president of the Stonewall Democratic Club.
New Harris Poll
Fervor increased this week over the prospect of Harris replacing Biden after polling in two states showed she now had a two-point edge compared to Biden among voters in a head-to-head contest with Donald Trump.
In that poll, Harris had an edge over Biden with younger voters 18-65 but was behind him with voters 65 and older.
Passing Over Kamala
Brancolini was worried about the prospect that if Biden was replaced, he might be replaced by someone other than Harris, which might enrage voters.
“But imagine the fury if a sitting vice president who is a black woman were passed over for any of the other candidates,” Brancolini said.
Raw Emotions
Other delegates in the obtained private chat messages expressed intense emotions over the perceived poor performance of Biden.
“I’m in tears,” wrote Renay Grace Rodriguez, president of the Stonewall Democratic Club. “What I was in tears about was Biden’s poor performance.”
Open Discussion
Politico reported that California DNC delegate Tom McInerney was pushing for an open discussion that allowed Democrats to address concerns about Biden’s ability to be president.
While some Democrats have come out in support of Biden, there have also been many who have been asking for him to step aside both privately and publically.
Blunt Conversation
According to reports, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had privately been urging Biden behind the scenes with “blunt” conversations about the state of the race.
Schumer reportedly shared polling data with the president, though spokespeople for the White House have refused to confirm whether Schumer asked Biden to step down. However, ABC News reported that Schumer told Biden that it would be “better for the Democratic party, and better for the country if he were to bow out.”
Pelosi Agrees
Schumer’s actions coincide with Democrat Representative Nancy Pelosi, who according to a CNN report shared poll results with the president over the phone that showed he could not win against Trump in the election.
If reporting from these major outlets is true, this means that even some of the president’s closest allies are doubtful of his ability to win.
Loyal Democrats
Bolle expressed that if it came down to it, of course, she would fight for the nominee but wanted there to be a frank discussion on the viability of Biden’s candidacy.
“We are all loyal Democrats and we know how high the stakes are. If President Biden is the nominee, I will fight for him every day to win this election,” wrote Bolle.
Adam Schiff Calls for Withdrawal
While some Democratic leaders are choosing to express their worries privately, a few have also come forward with a public call for Biden to step down.
On July 17, California Rep. Adam Schiff became the highest-profile Democrat to publicly call for Joe Biden to exit the presidential race over concern for the future of the Democratic party and the United States.
Schiff’s Comments
Schiff has previously complimented Biden for the work he has done as president, but now ultimately believes it is time for Biden to let someone else run against Trump.
“While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,” Schiff said in a statement. “And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”
