Ro Khanna says it's now "obvious" Biden wasn't fit to run in 2024 and urges Democrats to admit their mistake.

Khanna Calls for Democratic Accountability Over 2024 Race

Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, publicly acknowledged that President Joe Biden was not in a condition to run for re-election in 2024 and stated that Democrats should have supported an open primary. The remarks come amid growing scrutiny over Biden’s mental fitness and party decisions in the lead-up to the election.

“To rebuild trust, Democrats must be honest,” Khanna posted on X. “In light of the facts that have come out, Joe Biden should not have run for reelection, and we should have had an open primary.”

Khanna elaborated on his position during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s The Story. He shared that his personal interactions with the president led him to previously believe Biden was “fully coherent,” but that new information, including reporting from journalist Jake Tapper and others, changed his perspective. “It is obvious now to me... that he was not in a condition to run for reelection,” Khanna wrote.

Host Martha MacCallum challenged Khanna by airing past clips of him defending Biden’s mental acuity. In one 2024 segment, Khanna described the president as “fully coherent.” Asked whether those statements were truthful, Khanna responded, “I was,” but added, “I did not have the full picture.”

The congressman’s remarks have added to the internal debate among Democrats about leadership decisions, transparency, and voter confidence. Khanna emphasized that the party needs to take responsibility for its choices, saying, “We must be honest with people about our party’s mistake.”

The Office of Joe and Jill Biden did not respond to requests for comment. However, earlier this month, the president dismissed concerns over his cognitive health during an appearance on The View, where he rejected claims of significant decline in his final year of office.

Khanna’s comments reflect a shift in Democratic messaging as party figures reevaluate the events and decisions that shaped the 2024 election cycle. As a prominent voice within the party and a potential future presidential contender, his call for transparency and accountability could influence internal party dynamics moving forward.