President Joe Biden spent months ignoring and downplaying accusations he lacked the mental stamina to serve another term in the White House. However, after the sole presidential debate against Donald Trump broadcast to the entire nation Biden’s fragility, the president couldn’t outlast the pressure from fellow Democrats who struggled to defend his candidacy.

A steady drumbeat of Democratic lawmakers called for Biden to step away and pave the way for another leader, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, to lead the ticket. In a particular blow, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s (D-CA) close ally, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), sent a letter to Biden on Friday asking him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.