Adam Schiff, who used to be a close friend of Joe Biden, is now asking him to quit.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California made headlines on Wednesday by publicly calling for President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. This move by Schiff, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, has sparked debate and raised questions about Biden’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

In a statement, Schiff praised Biden’s long history of service to the country as a Senator, Vice President, and now President. However, he expressed concerns about the current political landscape, stating, “Our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November.”

Following Biden’s lackluster performance in the first debate against Trump, many Democrats, including Schiff, have privately or publicly expressed doubts about his candidacy. Schiff’s public call for Biden to step aside in favor of a younger candidate has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing discussion within the Democratic Party.

Despite growing pressure, Biden has remained steadfast in his decision to continue running for reelection. In an interview with BET News, he stated that he would only consider dropping out if advised to do so by a doctor.

Schiff’s close ties to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have added weight to his statements. Pelosi, who reportedly has been fielding concerns from the Democratic caucus about Biden’s candidacy, has not publicly commented on Schiff’s call for Biden to withdraw from the race.

While Schiff acknowledged that the decision to withdraw is ultimately Biden’s, he emphasized the importance of defeating Trump in the upcoming election. “There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump. The stakes are just too high,” Schiff said in his statement.

Earlier this month, during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Schiff questioned Biden’s ability to secure a victory against Trump, citing concerns about the president’s age. He highlighted the stark contrast between Biden’s extensive record and Trump’s controversial tenure, suggesting that Biden should be leading by a wider margin.

At a private fundraiser, Schiff reportedly cautioned donors that the Democratic Party might face significant losses if Biden remains the nominee. He expressed doubts about the party’s chances of retaking control of the Senate and House if Biden were to be the candidate in the upcoming election.

Schiff’s public call for Biden to drop out of the race has added a new dimension to the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party. As the 2022 election draws closer, the party faces critical decisions about its path to victory and the best candidate to lead them in the fight against Donald Trump.