Minnesota Rep. says he has ‘grave concerns’ about Biden reelection bid, encourages Dems to challenge him

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said on Friday that he has “grave concerns” about President Biden’s reelection bid amid weak polling numbers and the controversy surrounding his son, and encouraged other Democrats to jump into the 2024 race.

“I love Joe Biden,” Phillips told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I think he’s a man of decency, of competency. His record is extraordinary. I voted for it. I’ve helped market it and distribute it. I think the world of him.” 

“But I also believe my job is not duty-bound to the president, to my party, but to the constitution and country,” he continued. “And right now, I have grave concerns … I am scared. I’m trying to raise that bell, be the clarion call if you will.”

Phillips, who is himself mulling a 2024 primary challenge against Biden, pointed to the large share of Democrats who would prefer an alternative to the president, as well as the growing controversy surrounding Hunter Biden. 

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss, the Delaware federal prosecutor who has led the investigation into the president’s son, to serve as special counsel on Friday, as a pending plea deal appears to have fallen apart.

“I do not think the president is corrupt,” Phillips said. “I want to make that really clear. But we are duty-bound to investigate, to ensure the facts come out. And the fact is we don’t know where this goes.” 

“And I think it’s too much risk for Democrats to take this chance without a back-up plan because what we have right now in reserve is awfully consequential and frankly frightening,” he added.

However, the Minnesota congressman said on Friday that he does not believe he is “best positioned” to launch such a White House bid.

“There are ample well-prepared, competent people of great character ready to go,” Phillips said. “And I think if the president would consider passing that torch now, just imagine Jake, the energy behind a next generation on the Democratic primary stage.”