Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., hope President Joe Biden seeks another term in office, rather than look for a younger generation of Democrats to lead the party.
CNN's Jamie Gangel asked the Democratic congressional leaders during an interview at a Chinese restaurant whether they think that 80-year-old Biden should also consider moving aside so that a younger candidate can represent the party in 2024. Pelosi shook her head and said "no."
"I think president Biden has done an excellent job as President of the United States. I hope that he does seek re-election. He's a person with a great vision for our country. He's been involved for a long time, so he has great knowledge of the issues and the challenges we face," Pelosi said.
Pelosi, 82, is stepping away from her role as Democratic leader, clearing the way for a slate of younger Democrats to lead the party in the House of Representatives.
After the Democrats lost control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, Pelosi announced she would be stepping down from her position. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., was elected to replace the California Democrat. Jeffries, a 52-year-old New Yorker, will be the first African American to serve as House Democratic leader.
Schumer also agreed that Biden — who will be 81 on Election Day 2024 — should run again. "Yes, He's done an excellent, excellent job," Schumer told CNN. "If he runs I'm going to support him all the way."
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Looking forward to 2024, CNN asked the pair's thoughts on former President Donald Trump announcing his candidacy and what it would mean if he were elected to the White House again.
"I don't think it will happen," Schumer said. "The American people have gotten wise to him. Took them awhile but they did."
Avoiding the possibility of a Trump 2024 victory, Pelosi gave a subtle dig to the former president.
"I don't think that we should talk about him while we're eating," Pelsoi said.
