Nancy Pelosi has finally revealed what role she played in removing Joe Biden from the presidential race, saying: “I did what I had to do.”
The 81-year-old former House Speaker revealed last night that her concern was “not the president,” but “his campaign.”
When asked by CNN on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention if there was any “residual bad blood” between her and Biden, Pelosi said that “sometimes you have to take a punch for the kids.”
He then went on to say that Biden “made the decision for the country” and added that “I have to do what I have to do.” He then highlighted the “exuberance” and “enthusiasm” that has emerged in the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy.
The longtime Democratic leader admitted more than a week ago that she pressured Biden, 81, to drop out of the White House race because she feared he would no longer make his own decisions.
Reports suggest Biden remains bitter toward top Democrats, especially Pelosi, for ousting him from the race. But the president, in his own speech Monday night, said it’s “not true” that he’s bitter.
Nancy Pelosi, who was asked by CNN on Monday night on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention if there was any “residual bad blood” between her and Joe Biden, finally revealed what role she played in removing the president from the 2024 race.
Pelosi, pictured during Biden’s speech, said that “sometimes you have to take a punch for the kids.” She then insisted, saying that Biden “made the decision for the country” and added: “I have to do what I have to do.”
CNN anchor Jake Tapper, acknowledging that the decision to withdraw had been “very difficult” for Biden, questioned Pelosi about alleged “bad blood or residual resentment” between the two.
“Sometimes you have to take a punch for the kids,” he replied, prompting co-host Dana Bash to ask, “Who’s doing the punching now?”
Tapper directly referenced Pelosi’s low-key feud with former Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn, who told the host earlier Monday that “nobody wants to have a fight with Nancy Pelosi right now.”
“I don’t know, I didn’t even hear it. I’m just listening to it,” Pelosi responded before pointing at Tapper and saying, “Maybe he’s throwing the punch, I don’t know.”
“I would never do that,” Tapper replied, before attempting to double down on his line of questioning regarding Dunn’s comments.
“I have to do what I have to do,” Pelosi said. “He made the decision for the country. My concern was not the president, but his campaign.”
He then highlighted “the exuberance” and “the enthusiasm that has emerged in our country” since Biden withdrew and endorsed Harris’ candidacy.
Pelosi also highlighted the “exuberance” and “enthusiasm” that Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy has generated. Harris is pictured speaking at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night.
Delegates and supporters cheer Kamala Harris on as she takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Monday night.
Pelosi is seen clapping and cheering during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago
Pelosi said one Illinois Democrat “immediately recruited 1,100 volunteers for his campaign as soon as the announcement was made.”
Tapper, acknowledging that “no one was questioning” that the Democratic Party is in a “much better position” with Harris as its nominee, sought to push further.
But Pelosi interrupted him and asked, “So why are we talking about this?” Tapper joked that CNN “got into my script” and “they’re holding my cat hostage.”
Despite Biden’s goodwill, there was little doubt among delegates before Monday night’s speech that he is still smarting from the way he went out — ousted from the top spot on the ticket by allies from whom he had expected loyalty.
The one he supposedly blames most, Pelosi, apparently hadn’t gotten the message.
“#ThanksJoe,” she captioned the X, along with a photo of herself holding one of the heart-shaped signs.
The former House speaker also appeared unconvincing when singing “Thank you, Joe” during the President’s speech.
Pelosi admitted more than a week ago that she pressured Biden to drop out of the race.
Nancy Pelosi didn’t look very convincing when she chanted “Thank you, Joe” during President Biden’s speech at the Democratic National Convention
The former House Speaker also took to X to thank the president, sharing a photo of herself holding a sign that read “We Love Joe.”
Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Monday.
The longtime Democratic leader, in an interview with the New York Times on Friday, said she intervened after a July 8 letter purportedly from Biden to Congress in which he reaffirmed his commitment to stay in the race.
“I didn’t accept the letter as anything more than a letter,” he said. “It didn’t sound like Joe Biden to me. It really didn’t.”
In the letter, Biden said he was “firmly committed” to staying in the race against Donald Trump as he sought to fend off calls for him to step aside following his disastrous debate performance and increasingly discouraging poll numbers.
But her role in getting Biden to drop the 2024 bid has reportedly frustrated some of the president’s top allies.
“Nobody wants to fight with Nancy Pelosi right now because we are a united party,” former Biden adviser Dunn, who now works at a pro-Kamala Harris super PAC, told CNN.
But the former House speaker responded on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, saying she “just wanted to win.”
“I have a relationship with the president and I just wanted to win this election. So if they are upset, I feel sorry for them, but the country is very happy,” he explained. “I don’t know who they are, but you know that’s their problem, not mine.”
Kamala Harris, smiling and seemingly beaming with joy, takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Monday
President Joe Biden kisses Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris after her remarks at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night
From left: Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave to the crowd after Biden’s speech during the Democratic National Convention on Monday night.
The president admitted earlier this month that Pelosi’s concerns about other Democratic races contributed to his decision to drop out of the race.
“A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought it was going to hurt them in the election,” Biden said in his first interview since ending his re-election campaign.
“And I was worried that if I stayed in the race that would be the topic… I would be interviewed about why Nancy Pelosi said (something)… and I thought that would be a real distraction,” she said in the interview with CBS News Sunday Morning anchor Robert Costa.
A growing list of Democrats has called for Biden to drop out of the race following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June.