In a surprising move, Rep. Pat Ryan, a moderate New York Democrat, has joined a growing number of colleagues urging President Joe Biden to step aside and withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Citing former President Donald Trump as an "existential threat to American democracy," Ryan believes it is their duty to put forth the strongest candidate against him.

Taking to his social media platform, Ryan wrote a post calling on President Biden to deliver on his promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders and to make way for a different candidate. While acknowledging Biden's patriotism, Ryan no longer sees him as the best option to defeat Trump. As a representative of New York's 18th Congressional District, which includes Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties, Ryan's stance has garnered attention.

However, Ryan's Republican opponent, Alison Esposito, criticized him for allegedly deceiving constituents about Biden's cognitive abilities. Esposito argues that it is time for Ryan to be honest with voters about the president's shortcomings and claims he has been a rubber stamp for Biden's failed policies.

Ryan is just one of at least 10 House Democrats who have either publicly or privately called on President Biden to step aside. While some prominent Biden allies such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have come to his defense, concerns about the president's ability to win in the upcoming election have been expressed by others. Even former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., refrained from giving a wholehearted endorsement of Biden's decision to stay in the race, signaling that "time is running short" for the president to determine his political future.

Amidst mounting concerns from congressional Democrats following Biden's disappointing performance in last month's debate against Trump, the president and his aides have sought to reassure the party. Biden began this week by sending a letter to Democratic lawmakers affirming that he wouldn't be running if he didn't believe he was the best person to defeat Donald Trump in 2024. He referenced the clear and decisive response from voters during the Democratic nomination process.

On Tuesday morning, House Democrats held a closed-door meeting where leadership reportedly advised members not to speak to the media. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., reiterated his support for Biden as the nominee, describing the meeting as a "very constructive conversation amongst the House Democratic Caucus family." When asked about whether they had reached a consensus on Biden's candidacy, Jeffries stated that conversations were ongoing.

As tensions mount within the Democratic Party, the call for President Biden to step aside in favor of a stronger candidate continues to divide opinions. All eyes are now on the president as he weighs his political future and evaluates the support he garners from his party ranks.