The blows to Biden were both procedural and political: The Democratic National Committee delayed a pivotal vote that would have made replacing him more difficult, a prominent Democrat called for Biden to step down, and reports of behind-the-scenes maneuvering made clear that other top party leaders have lost faith in Biden’s candidacy, even if they aren’t willing to say so publicly yet. He praised Biden’s record but added, “A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November.” Her successor as House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer both told Biden it would be better if he left the race, ABC’s Jonathan Karl reported.