Former Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota has publicly criticized the Democratic Party, claiming that they, under the leadership of former President Joe Biden, are hiding the realities of his declining mental acuity. On Thursday, he stated that the party’s “continuous lies and gaslighting” about Biden’s health are eroding public trust.
Phillips recounted multiple instances where he observed signs of Biden’s decline, expressing disappointment with the party for allowing him to pursue a second term. He mentioned, “In 2021, when he spoke to the House Democratic Caucus, I was in the front row and later shared close quarters with him on several flights in 2021 and 2022.” After attending a White House holiday party in December 2022, Phillips believed the decline was “too graphic to ignore,” voicing concerns that Biden himself might feel “unfit to serve a second term.”
“My opinion wasn’t isolated,” Phillips asserted, noting that other colleagues shared similar concerns. He lamented the inaction from party leaders, recognizing a potential disaster looming in November 2024. After several private discussions about Biden’s declining health, he reached out to notable Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Amy Klobuchar, but found little desire for action.
Discontented with the leadership’s direction, Phillips decided to enter the race himself, aiming to ignite a competitive primary. He expressed a desire for televised debates, hoping Americans could see the realities he claimed were being hidden. However, he stated that his efforts faced strong pushback from Democratic leaders, asserting that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries conveyed they would not engage with Biden or his team.
Phillips also expressed frustration at the media, believing they were sidelined in favor of maintaining a particular narrative. He mentioned being attacked on social media by party activists and felt that the Democratic National Committee was actively trying to block any candidate not named Biden from participating in the elections.
He contended that Biden was surrounded by supporters insisting he was “the best candidate” against Donald Trump, questioning the effectiveness of the strategies used to shield him—like pre-recording speeches and interviews. “What did it achieve? The critical moments led to a disastrous debate in June 2024, marking an embarrassing end to his campaign,” Phillips lamented.
Despite his criticisms, Phillips believes there’s a path forward for the Democratic Party. He emphasizes the need for honesty about Biden’s ability to lead, suggesting that if a member like him could recognize the reality, it raises questions about the judgment of the party’s leadership. He closed his remarks by stressing that protecting a president at the cost of credibility is a misguided strategy and called for transparency to restore public confidence.
