Malice, a veteran political commentator and known insider in Washington, claimed on-air that former U.S. President Barack Obama, along with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, threatened Biden with removal from office if he did not step down. Malice recounted in a political podcast for the American network that “according to everything I’m hearing, while Biden was recovering at home after contracting COVID, he received a phone call after which he had no choice.”
Biden’s resignation came as a complete surprise to many. After weeks of insistence from his team that they were “not considering any option of withdrawal,” Biden’s terse announcement followed.
Malice shed light on the behind-the-scenes situation, stating, “There was a phone call, with former President Obama, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Democrats' leader Chuck Schumer on one side, and Biden on the other.” According to Malice, the call was lengthy, reached high tensions, and ended with a dramatic statement from the two to Biden: “From what I understand, they were very direct with him, explaining that after his performance in the debate and the attempt on Trump’s life, he had no chance and would drag the whole party down with him.” Finally, when Biden continued to resist, they told him directly, “If you don’t withdraw yourself, Kamala (Harris, the Vice President) will work with us, and we will invoke the 25th Amendment (removal of a sitting president due to medical reasons).” Biden was reportedly shocked, which is why we received a terse resignation notice essentially written by Obama’s, Pelosi’s, and Schumer’s teams, with the President announcing it in his own voice only days later.”
The seasoned commentator continued, stating that some in Biden’s circle urged him to stay, arguing that “this was a bluff by Obama and his people,” as publicly removing a sitting president against his will would harm the Democrats at all political levels. However, according to Malice, Biden eventually agreed to step down and make way for Kamala Harris.
Similar claims of threats and intense pressure on Biden to withdraw in favour of Kamala Harris have also been reported by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh and in The Economist magazine, known for its close coverage of the Democratic leadership during the Obama administration.