House speaker, Republican senator call for Biden's immediate resignation

(The Center Square) – The U.S. House speaker, a Tennessee U.S. senator and other Republicans called for President Joe Biden to resign immediately after the 81-year-old dropped out of the presidential race early Sunday afternoon.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., led the charge.

"If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President," Johnson said in a statement. "He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough."

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said Biden also must resign as president.

"If Joe Biden is too weak to stay in the race for the presidency, he should RESIGN as our Commander-in-Chief immediately," she wrote in a post on X.

Democrats praised Biden's work in office.

"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president – a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans," California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote. "He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said the first debate between former President Donald Trump and Biden was the catalyst.

"It looks more and more like that very early debate was a set-up to force Biden to step aside," Abbott wrote on X. "Today's announcement may not have happened without that disastrous debate."

Biden ended his reelection bid Sunday, opening the door for Vice President Kamala Harris or another top Democrat to replace him atop the ticket.

Tesla founder and X owner Elon Musk said the smart bet was voting for Trump.

"My smartest friends, including those living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have been lifelong Dems, are excited about Trump/Vance," he wrote in a post on Sunday afternoon. "I believe in an America that maximizes individual freedom and merit. That used to be the Democratic Party, but now the pendulum has swung to the Republican Party."

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said it had been an honor to work with Biden.

"I've been inspired by his decency, integrity and dedication to service, and I'm deeply grateful for that," she said in a statement. "Thank you, President Biden."

U.S. Sen, Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, thanked Biden for his long service.

"I thank President Biden for his years of committed service to the country we love – as Senator, as Vice President, and as President."