What's happening on the campaign trail
- President Joe Biden is firmly pushing back on calls to drop out from members of his own party, telling congressional Democrats in a letter that "the voters have spoken."
- Congress is back in session today as lawmakers return to Washington, setting the stage for formal and informal discussions in person about Biden's health and his 2024 prospects.
- Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have vigorously defended Biden. Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, the group's former chair, said members are "100%" behind the president. Biden joined a virtual meeting with the CBC tonight, his campaign said.
- Former President Donald Trump is closing in on his running mate announcement. Trump is expected to announce his pick shortly before or during the Republican National Convention, which starts next Monday in Milwaukee.
Trump suggests he's waiting to name VP pick until there's more clarity about Biden's future
Trump suggested tonight in a Fox News interview that he is holding off on announcing his running mate until he "finds out" what will happen with Biden's candidacy.
“You know, we wanted to see what they’re doing, to be honest. Because, you know, it might make a difference," Trump said, referring to Democrats.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure that it would. But there are those that say, 'Trump’s waiting until he finds out what’s going to happen with crooked Joe Biden,' and we’ll see what happens with Biden."
Biden's dismal debate performance has slowed Trump's rush to reveal his pick to be his vice presidential running mate.
In the interview tonight on "Hannity," Trump said that he wanted to announce his running mate during next week's Republican National Convention but that "modern day technology" might prevent that. He also floated making the announcement shortly before the convention starts.
White House releases letter from Biden's physician about neurologist visits
The White House tonight released a letter by Biden’s personal physician, Kevin O’Connor, explaining multiple visits to the White House by a Parkinson's expert.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to reveal any information during today's briefing about the nature of the visits by neurologist Kevin Cannard, who was named in the letter.
O’Connor confirmed that Cannard was the neurological specialist who has examined Biden for each of his annual physicals in office. He also confirmed, as Jean-Pierre said repeatedly said today, that Biden has not seen a neurologist outside his annual physicals. His last physical was in February, and O’Connor reiterated his assessment that he was not showing signs of any neurological disorder, including Parkinson’s, during that examination.
The letter also details Cannard’s background as a neurology specialist and notes that he has been the neurology consultant to the White House Medical Unit since 2012. Before the Covid pandemic, the letter said, Cannard held regular neurology clinics at the White House medical clinic for the thousands of active-duty military members assigned to support White House operations.
“Seeing patients at the White House is something that Dr. Cannard has been doing for a dozen years," O'Connor wrote. "Dr. Cannard was chosen for this responsibility not because he is a movement disorder specialist, but because he is a highly trained and highly regarded neurologist here at Walter Reed [National Military Medial Center] and across the Military Health System, with a very wide expertise which makes him flexible to see a variety of patients and problems.”
Congressional Hispanic Caucus leaders say they stand with Biden and Harris
In a statement tonight, the top two members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus voiced their support for the top of Democratic ticket.
"We stand with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris," said Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., the chair, and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., the deputy chair.
"President Biden and his Administration have worked closely with House Democrats to make historic investments to positively impact communities across the country, including Latinos, such as investments to combat climate change, lower healthcare costs, expand access to healthcare for our veterans, and create jobs with the Infrastructure bill," they said. "Most recently, President Biden announced an executive action that was a top CHC priority, to protect the noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens to keep families together."
The praise follows similar support from members of the Congressional Black Caucus as several senior House Democrats call for Biden to step aside in the presidential race.
Several Democratic senators voice their support for Biden
A number of Democratic senators said today that they continue to back Biden, even as some of their colleagues in the chamber have expressed concerns about his candidacy.
Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, chair of the campaign arm for Senate Democrats, told NBC News, "I support him and I feel good about him in our Senate races."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York told NBC News she also continues "to have confidence in President Biden and his ability to beat Donald Trump this November."
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a close Biden ally and a national co-chair of his re-election campaign, said, “I’m confident that Joe Biden will be our next president.”
Referring to Biden's letter this morning to congressional Democrats, Coons said he had clearly expressed "that he intends to run and to win. He’s been showing that — he’s been showing energy and engagement."
Biden speaks for about 20 minutes during meeting with CBC members
During a virtual meeting tonight, Biden spoke with members of the Congressional Black Caucus — a group that has fiercely defended him amid calls by some House Democrats to step aside in the 2024 race.
Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., a CBC member, said in a statement that Biden "showed his unwavering dedication to our nation’s future and that he is in this fight."
"Today’s call reaffirmed my support for Biden and Harris. Undermining Biden only weakens our resolve to defeat Donald Trump in November," she added.
Biden spoke for about 20 minutes in a conversation that was heavy on lifting up Black Americans and growing wealth, a Democratic aide said. Everyone on the call who spoke praised him, the aide said.
Sen. Chuck Schumer eyes bill hitting back at the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling on Trump
Accusing conservative Supreme Court justices of placing “a crown on Donald Trump’s head” that allows him to commit crimes with impunity, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said today that he’s considering a legislative response to last week’s court ruling.
“We Democrats will not let the Supreme Court’s decision stand unaddressed. The Constitution makes plain that Congress has the authority to check the judiciary through appropriate legislation. I will work with my colleagues on legislation classifying Trump’s election subversion acts as unofficial acts not subject to immunity,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor.
Schumer spoke as the Senate returned from recess, a week after the Supreme Court handed Trump a big win in a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines saying presidents have legal immunity from prosecution for “official acts” carried out on the job but not unofficial acts. The terms are subject to interpretation, and Schumer is seeking to define Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results as being outside the scope of his presidential duties.
Biden is “winning back a lot of trust” with his public appearances since his stumble on the debate stage, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said today.
“He has four months — which is an eternity in today’s politics — to convince the American people that it is better to have a president that has an off night as opposed to a president who has an off personality,” Green told NBC News.
Member of Senate Democratic leadership says Biden must consider his legacy
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a member of Democratic leadership and president pro tempore of the Senate, called on Biden to “demonstrate he can campaign strong enough to beat Donald Trump” in a new statement tonight.
Murray stopped short of calling on Biden to drop out but said he “must seriously consider the best way to preserve his incredible legacy and secure it for the future.”
“We need to see a much more forceful and energetic candidate on the campaign trail in the very near future in order for him to convince voters he is up to the job,” she added.
Rep. Adam Smith explains why he thinks Biden should bow out
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said in a TV interview and a statement that the Democratic Party needs a new nominee.
“I think he should step aside. I think it’s become clear that he’s not the best person to carry the Democratic message,” Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said on CNN.
Smith, who is one of nine House Democrats calling for Biden to drop his re-election bid, said Biden’s health issues distracted from his record, adding that a campaign strategy of telling lawmakers to be quiet and fall in line “simply isn’t working right now.”
"We’ve got a great record to run on. He’s not able to deliver it right now," Smith said.
“Personally, I think Kamala Harris would be a much better, stronger candidate,” he added.
NBC News reported yesterday that Smith told House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and others during a call that he believed Biden should step aside.
Biden is slamming “elites” who have called for him step aside. He says he still has the support of voters. As he fights for his political future, Biden hopes the support of Black voters and union workers will propel him to another victory. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson reports.