Former Harris staffer calls on Biden to resign, install Harris as first female president

Former communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, Jamal Simmons, surprised a CNN panel Sunday by suggesting President Biden step down to allow Harris to serve as the first female president.

“Joe Biden’s been a phenomenal president, he’s lived up to so many of the promises he’s made. There’s one promise left that he could fulfill, being a transitional figure,” Simmons said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “He could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, make Kamala Harris President of the United States—”

The panel, including host Dana Bash, reacted audibly to the idea.

He continued, “It would absolve her from having to oversee the January 6th transition of her own defeat. And it would make sure, it would dominate the news, at a point where Democrats have to learn, drama and transparency and doing things the public want to see. This is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate.”

HARRIS SURROGATE GIVES FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF THE ‘EPIC DISASTER’ OF ELECTION NIGHT LOSS TO TRUMP

“This has now jumped from an internet meme to a Sunday morning show,” Bash responded.

Fellow panel member and CNN commentator Scott Jennings remarked, “Jamal’s out here writing a season of ‘House of Cards.’”

When Bash asked Simmons about Harris’ chances of being nominated to the Supreme Court, he reiterated his call for Harris as president.

“This is something within Joe Biden‘s control. If he did it, it would, again, fulfill his last promise and give Kamala Harris a chance to be the 47th President of the United States of America. It would disrupt all of Donald Trump‘s paraphernalia, right? He‘d have to rebrand everything. And make it easier for the next woman president not have to hold all that weight of being the first,” Simmons said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Simmons also floated the idea on his X account.

“Joe Biden has been amazing but he should fulfill one last promise – to be transitional. Biden should resign and make Kamala Harris the first woman president. It’d turn tables on Trump, keep Kamala from presiding over Jan 6 make it easier for next woman to run,” Simmons wrote. “Dems have better policies but we must realize the old rules no longer apply. We are not playing table tennis. We are in a mixed martial arts fight and Americans respond to drama and excitement. We should use that to make our arguments for a better path forward.”

Simmons’ comments came a few days after a CNN commentator suggested Justice Sonia Sotomayor step down for Biden to replace her with Harris before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

CNN host doesn’t hold back in 7-minute lecture on what put Dems out of touch with voters

CNN host Fareed Zakaria issued a scathing rebuke of Democrats in an extended monologue over the weekend, blaming the party for misreading public opinion on everything from immigration and charges against President-elect Donald Trump to DEI efforts and woke identity politics.

Addressing Trump’s victory for the first time on his show “GPS” Sunday, Zakaria said the Democrats’ collosal losses couldn’t be attributed to one error or a singular oversight, blaming instead a wider ignorance by the left on key issues that put them at odds and out of touch with American voters.

“At first glance, it would seem easy to explain last Tuesday‘s election as part of a 2024 global wave against incumbents beset by post-Covid turmoil and inflation…so, it might have been preordained that Kamala Harris representing the incumbent administration lost decisively as well. But Harris could have bucked the trend,” he began.

DEPRESSED MEDIA REACT TO TRUMP VICTORY: HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY HAVE HAPPENED?

“Employment is strong. Wages are up. Inflation is down. Activity is soaring. More importantly, Donald Trump has many strengths as a political figure, but he also has many weaknesses,” the host continued. 

Zakaria said Democrats had an opportunity to reclaim political power from Trump after the January 6 Capitol riots when his approval ratings took a hit, “But they blew it.”

“The New York Times estimates that Harris will lose the national popular vote by about a point and a half, a first for Democrats since 2004,” he told viewers.

DEMOCRATS LOOKING TO POINT FINGERS AFTER ‘HUMILIATING’ ELECTION DEFEAT SHOULD START WITH MEDIA: WSJ COLUMNIST

The CNN host proceeded to spell out three areas where he believes Democrats got it wrong, thereby costing Harris the election.

“The first big error was the Biden administration’s blindness to the collapse of the immigration system and the chaos at the border” Zakaria said. “An asylum system that was meant for a small number of persecuted individuals was being used by millions to gain legal entry. Instead of shutting it down, liberals branded anyone protesting as heartless and racist. They missed a massive shift in American public opinion in just a few years.”

“In 2020, the percentage of Americans who wanted to decrease immigration was just 28%. By this year, it was 55%.”

If Democrats were in touch with this reality, Harris would have taken a different position when asked in an appearance on “The View” how she would have strayed from President Biden on matters of border security, he said.

KAMALA HARRIS’ BUNGLED ANSWER ON ‘THE VIEW’ ABOUT BIDEN SEEN AS TURNING POINT IN CAMPAIGN

“Instead of basically saying nothing different, she should have said, ‘I would have shut down the border early and hard,’” the CNN host went on.

The Democrats’ second error, according to Zakaria, was their “overzealous misuse of law to punish Trump.

“The most egregious of the cases pursued was Alvin Bragg’s one in New York, one that even he was once skeptical of, but was reportedly pressured by some on the left into pursuing,” he said.

The CNN host argued that while some of the charges brought against Trump were “legitimate,” the host of them piled on in rapid succession, gave the impression that the legal system was being weaponized to get Trump. It confirmed to his base what it had always believed – that over-educated urban liberals were hypocrites, happy to bend rules and norms when it suited their purposes,” he said.

“Lawfare turned Trump from being a loser into a victor,” he told Democrats pointedly.

Their third mistake, Zakaria continued, was the party’s fixation on identity politics, “that largely came out of the urban academic bubble, but alienated many mainstream voters.”

For example, the term “Latinx” was not well received among the Latino community, he said, but divisive identity politics had morphed into an “obsession” on the left.

“There is an irony in claiming to be pro-Latino by insisting that people use the term Latinx only to discover that Latinos themselves think the word is weird,” Zakaria argued.

“This kind of obsession made Democrats view people too much through their ethnic or racial or gender identity and made them miss, for example, that working-class Latinos were moving toward Trump, perhaps, because they were socially conservative or liked his macho rhetoric or even agreed with his hard-line stance on immigration,” he continued. “The problem is deeper than one about nouns and pronouns. The entire focus on identity has morphed into something deeply illiberal. Judging people by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character.”

The CNN host proceeded to lecture Democrats for embracing university “speech codes” and cancel culture, which have “become ways the left censors or restricts that most cherished of liberal ideas, freedom of speech. 

“One simple way to think about the lessons of the election is that liberals cannot achieve liberal goals, however virtuous, by illiberal means,” he concluded.

Zakaria noted earlier in his monologue that while it’s easy to reflect on the party’s ignorance “postmortem,” he warned about “each of these mistakes at the time,” despite “prompting angry responses from the left.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

In an interview with PBS in May, the CNN host urged President Biden to “reform the whole” immigration system, calling on him to “learn” from Trump and take “extreme action” to secure the border to better his political chances of securing a second term.

Democrats have spent the days following Trump’s resounding victory last week finger pointing and casting blame at different factions of the party for Harris’ stunning loss. Some have blamed Biden for failing to suspend his presidential campaign sooner, while others said Harris was to blame for covering up Biden’s mental decline.

Schumer won’t allow McCormick at Senate orientation

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is not allowing Senator-elect Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania to attend Senate orientation in the coming week, pointing to outstanding ballots in the state, even though the race has already been called. 

Two sources with knowledge confirmed to Fox News Digital that McCormick was not invited to orientation, despite having been projected by the Associated Press to win the Pennsylvania Senate race. 

When reached by Fox News Digital, a Schumer spokesperson said in a statement, “With over 100,000 ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania, the race has not been decided. As is custom, we will invite the winner once the votes are counted.” 

CORNYN TOUTS LIFETIME FUNDRAISING PROWESS FOR GOP IN FINAL CASE TO SUCCEED MCCONNELL

McCormick’s campaign declined to comment to Fox News Digital. 

Several Republican senators took to X on Sunday to slam Schumer for not inviting McCormick. “@AP declared @DaveMcCormickPA winner of #PASen 3 days ago. Denying legit election results & blocking @DaveMcCormickPA from participating in Sen. orientation this week is outrageous & a disservice PA & the country. Casey should concede. He has no path to overturn these results,” wrote National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines, R-Mont.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who is also running for GOP leader this week, added, “Dave McCormick is the new senator for Pennsylvania. The idea that Schumer would not allow him to participate in Senate orientation is beyond unacceptable. The voters of Pennsylvania have spoken. Looking forward to having Dave’s strong voice in the Senate Republican Conference.”

TIM SCOTT LAUNCHES BID TO CHAIR NRSC AS GOP SEEKS TO CAPITALIZE ON NEW MINORITY GAINS

“Schumer and Senate Democrats are denying the election results in #PASen. Trying to block @DaveMcCormickPA from attending Senate orientation this week is an outrage. Casey must concede immediately or Senate Democrats face consequences,” said Senate Republican conference Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

The Pennsylvania Senate race was called by the AP on Nov. 7, two days after Election Day. McCormick currently leads his incumbent opponent by more than 30,000 votes in the state. 

Casey’s campaign did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital regarding McCormick not being invited to orientation.

TOP REPUBLICAN PRIVATELY BACKING THUNE TO SUCCEED MCCONNELL IN GOP LEADER RACE

On Saturday, a spokesperson for Casey said in a statement, “Each day, counties across the Commonwealth are confirming there are more ballots that need to be counted. We know there are more than 100,000 ballots left to be counted including tens of thousands of provisional ballots in counties favorable to Senator Casey, and the McCormick campaign has acknowledged these provisional ballots could impact the outcome of the election while pursuing unsuccessful lawsuits to get them thrown out. Pennsylvanians deserve to have their voices heard, and as state officials have made clear, counties across Pennsylvania need more time to tabulate remaining votes.”

In a Thursday statement, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt said, “Throughout the day, the Department has communicated with counties who continue to conduct a secure election where every eligible vote is counted. We estimate there are at least 100,000 ballots remaining to be adjudicated, including provisional, military, overseas, and Election Day votes. We urge patience as election workers continue to do this important work, especially in contests where the margins are very close.”

However, critics have cast doubt on Casey’s ability to make up the difference with the current outstanding votes. 

RICK SCOTT SEES RED WAVE AS ‘BEST CASE SCENARIO’ FOR SENATE LEADER BID AS HE LOBBIES TRUMP FOR SUPPORT

Pennsylvania Republican strategist Mark Harris claimed on Saturday that, “The votes for Casey to win are just not there,” citing Republicans’ record with the type of ballots that are still being counted. 

Schumer’s office shared with Fox News Digital that Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has not been invited to orientation either. The Arizona Senate race is still ongoing and has not been called by the AP. 

A spokesperson for the majority leader also noted that Sen. Al Franken did not attend orientation in 2008 due to the close nature of his election. However, Franken’s election was won by only a few hundred votes, while McCormick is leading by tens of thousands. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Notably, even a member of Schumer’s caucus referred to McCormick as the senator-elect on Sunday. “While we are losing a good person and colleague in Senator Bob Casey, I believe the Senate will be gaining another good man in Senator-Elect David McCormick,” wrote outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., in a post to X. 

Manchin has been known to occasionally go against the Democrat caucus during his tenure. 

Biden will enter Oval Office meeting with Trump with an agenda, adviser says

President Biden will urge President-elect Trump to not abandon Ukraine when the two meet on Wednesday, among other domestic and foreign policies, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Trump defeated Vice President Harris in the presidential election, and he will take office on Jan. 20, 2025. After Trump won his way back into the Oval Office, Biden congratulated him and invited the 45th, and soon to be 47th, president of the United States to the White House to ensure a peaceful transition of power. The two are expected to meet this Wednesday.

On Sunday, Sullivan was a guest on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” where he said Biden’s top message would be ensuring his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. Sullivan also said the president will talk to Trump about what is happening around the world in places like Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

“The president will have the chance to explain to President Trump how he sees things, where they stand and talk to President Trump about how President Trump is thinking about taking on these issues when he takes office,” Sullivan said. “President Biden made clear when [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy was here in Washington a couple of months ago that we would spend all of the resources that were provided to us by the Congress on time and in full, meaning that by Jan. 20th we will have sent the full amount of resources and aid to Ukraine that Congress has authorized.”

DEMOCRATS LOOKING TO POINT FINGERS AFTER ‘HUMILIATING’ ELECTION DEFEAT SHOULD START WITH MEDIA: WSJ COLUMNIST

He continued by saying that over the next 70 days, Biden will make the case to Congress and the incoming administration that the U.S. should not walk away from Ukraine, because walking away “means more instability in Europe.”

“Ultimately, as the Japanese prime minister said, if we walk away from Ukraine in Europe, the question about America’s commitment to our allies in Asia will grow,” Sullivan said.

He would not say if Biden would propose specific legislation, but he explained that the president would make the case to continue sending resources to Ukraine beyond his term because Russia’s threat to Ukraine will remain.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP TO MEET BIDEN IN OVAL OFFICE WEDNESDAY

“The United States should not walk away from its commitment either to Ukraine or to the 50 nations that we have rallied in defense of Ukraine, in both Europe and Asia,” Sullivan said.

The national security adviser’s comments came as Ukraine launched an attack on Moscow with at least 34 drones on Sunday. The attack was the biggest drone strike on the Russian capital since the beginning of the war.

Trump has insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if he were in the White House at the time. He also told Reuters that Ukraine may have to cede territory in order to reach a peace agreement, which Ukraine rejects and Biden has never suggested.

TRUMP TEAM REACTS TO REPORT PRESIDENT-ELECT TOLD RUSSIA’S PUTIN NOT TO ESCALATE WAR WITH UKRAINE

Washington has provided tens of billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. military and economic aid to Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia in February 2022, funding that Trump has repeatedly criticized and rallied against with other Republican lawmakers.

According to the Government Accountability Office, Congress appropriated over $174 billion to Ukraine under Biden. The pace of aid is almost sure to drop under Trump, with Republicans set to take control of the U.S. Senate with a 53-seat majority.

The war in Ukraine is entering what some officials say could be its final act after Moscow’s forces advanced at the fastest pace since the early days of the war.

Any fresh attempt to end the war is likely to involve peace talks of some kind, which have not been held since the early months of the war.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Moscow’s forces occupy around a fifth of Ukraine. Russia says the war cannot end until its claimed annexations are recognized. Kyiv demands all of its territory back, a position that has largely been supported by Western allies.

See how President-elect Trump is spending the first weekend after his big election win

President-elect Trump has been winding down from the recent election on the golf course, pictures show.

Kai Trump, the 17-year-old daughter of Donald Trump, Jr., made an Instagram post sharing recent pictures with her grandfather at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach on Sunday, a few miles west of the Mar-a-Lago resort.

“Sundays with Grandpa,” the proud granddaughter captioned the post, adding a heart. The post featured a selfie Kai Trump shared with the president-elect, along with videos she took on the golf course and a picture with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. 

Musk appeared to be with his 4-year-old son in one of the photos. The child, whose name is X, was originally named X Æ A-12 when he was born in 2020.

FORMER GEORGIA SENATOR KELLY LOEFFLER TO SERVE ON TRUMP’S INAUGURAL COMMITTEE

Chloe Trump, 10, was also photographed on the golf course with her grandfather.

In one clip, the president-elect was seen watching Kai Trump from a golf cart while “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John was blasting in the background.

The pictures were shared days after Trump decisively won the 2024 presidential election race held on Nov. 5. On Saturday night, The Associated Press called Arizona in Trump’s favor, ending the electoral vote count for the 2024 presidential election. 

NEW YORK DEMOCRAT RIPS ‘FAR LEFT’ FOR TRUMP VICTORY: ‘IVORY-TOWERED NONSENSE’

Trump garnered 312 electoral votes, dwarfing his opponent, Vice President Harris. The Democratic candidate lost all seven battleground states and only collected 226 electoral votes.

The Republican leader is currently selecting his Cabinet and determining who will serve in his second administration. Trump is also expected to meet President Biden in the Oval Office on Wednesday. 

On Saturday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would not be inviting two members of his former administration to the White House.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” the president-elect said. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Musk gives his pick in three-man race for Senate majority leader

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday endorsed lawmaker Rick Scott for Senate majority leader, joining a growing list of MAGA figures who are throwing their support behind the Florida Republican. 

“Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader!” Musk wrote in a post on X Sunday afternoon, days after Republicans won back control of the Senate on Election Day. 

Musk’s post came in response to a post from Scott, who was responding to President-elect Trump’s demand that “Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner.” 

“100% agree,” Scott responded. “I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.” 

SCOTT TOUTS ‘DEAL GUY’ BACKGROUND IN BID FOR SENATE MAJORITY LEADER

SEN. JOSH HAWLEY ‘DELIGHTED’ TO BACK SEN. JOHN CORNYN FOR SENATE MAJORITY LEADER

Musk is the latest Trump-ally calling for Scott to be the Senate GOP leader. Scott’s senate Republican colleagues, including Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and Rand Paul of Kentucky have each pledged to vote for Scott. 

Scott, whose bid for the position is seen as a long shot by some observers, is up against fellow Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, and John Thune of South Dakota for the job McConnell has held since 2007. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Scott has expressed hope that Trump will publicly endorse his bid for the top job, though some reports have indicated the president-elect has been hesitant to weigh in on the race.