In a surprising turn of events, Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett has become the first congressional Democrat to publicly call for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election. Doggett expressed his doubts about Biden's ability to convince the American people of his fitness for reelection, fearing that this could pave the way for Donald Trump's return as an authoritarian strongman.

During a conversation with NPR's Leila Fadel, Doggett expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of having Biden as the Democratic candidate. Despite acknowledging Biden's "transformational accomplishments," Doggett noted a lack of enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the incumbent President, which he believes could result in Democrats losing not only the presidency but also control of the House and Senate in the next elections.

While Doggett's dissenting opinion goes against party leadership's continued support for Biden, he affirmed that his concerns were representative of widespread worry within the Democratic Party. Doggett mentioned conversations he had with colleagues who expressed doubts about Biden's chances against Trump, highlighting the prevalent thinking that could be difficult to overcome.

Doggett emphasized the urgent need to prevent Trump and his supporters from taking over the government, characterizing them as a "criminal and his gang." He stressed the importance of putting forth the strongest possible candidate to counter Trump's potential resurgence.

However, Doggett also acknowledged the risks of withdrawing support from Biden and potentially aiding Trump. He stated that he didn't want to undermine Biden's chances of success and assured that if Biden were to become the nominee, he would still receive Doggett's backing. Nonetheless, Doggett hinted at the challenges that candidates across the country may face in distancing themselves from the president due to concerns surrounding his performance and its potential impact on their own campaigns.

While Doggett's call for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race may not be aligned with the majority opinion within the Democratic Party, his outspoken concerns highlight the growing unease among some members about the party's current trajectory. As the 2024 elections draw near, it remains to be seen how his remarks and the ensuing discussions will shape the Democratic Party's strategy moving forward.

(Note: This article is based solely on the information provided in the user's text and does not express any personal opinions or endorsement of the viewpoints expressed by Rep. Doggett.