House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) tensely rebuked a reporter for probing questions about President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign Wednesday afternoon. This comes during a growing unease within the Democratic Party as the 2024 presidential election approaches, with many fearing that Biden’s candidacy might jeopardize their chances against former President Donald Trump.

Earlier today, ABC News reporter Rachel Scott pestered Pelosi about whether a delay in Biden’s decision was cause for concern. Visibly frustrated, Pelosi responded, “I’m not going to make any comments in the hallway about the fate of our nation.”

Scott continued to question Pelosi on whether she believed the Democrats could win the upcoming election. “Do you believe you should run for re-election?” she asked.

“Am I speaking English?” Pelosi jabbed. “I’m not going to be making any statements about any of that right now!”

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“It’s up to the president to decide if he’s going to run,” Pelosi said to MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” earlier today. “We’re all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short.”

Several Democrats, from Hollywood celebrities to seasoned politicians, have voiced their apprehension about Biden’s ability to secure a victory in November. They fear that not only could he lose to Trump, but he might also drag down the Democratic Party’s chances of maintaining control over Congress. George Clooney published his thoughts in a New York Times op-ed under the blaring headline “I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee.”

“Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw,” Clooney wrote. “We’re all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we’ve opted to ignore every warning sign. The George Stephanopoulos interview only reinforced what we saw the week before. As Democrats, we collectively hold our breath or turn down the volume whenever we see the president, who we respect, walk off Air Force One or walk back to a mic to answer an unscripted question.”

Clooney’s about-face comes just weeks after he and other A-listers gathered for a fundraiser with Biden where they lavished his campaign with tens of millions of dollars. Even then, the signs were obvious: former President Barack Obama was seen guiding his former veep from the stage, holding on to his elbow, a repeat performance of their night together in New York just days earlier.

Whatever sway Clooney and the glitterati hold may have arrived too late: by Wednesday it appeared that the White House had limited the list of Democratic defections to just seven members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). Senior Democrats went on the record to reiterate their belief in a Biden-led ticket, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and even progressive darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). And Democratic operatives are even floating the possibility of a “blitz primary” to replace Biden, an idea that Clooney seems supportive of in his piece.

With Biden at the helm, many in the party are grappling with the reality of his lagging popularity and the formidable challenge posed by Trump’s candidacy.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

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Democrats in the House have returned to Washington with a critical agenda: to address Joe Biden’s potential candidacy as the congressional recess concludes. Tensions have been rising since June’s debate as an increasing number of lawmakers have expressed their doubts about Biden’s abilities in the upcoming race.

The president, meanwhile, has been making efforts to dismiss any speculation of him bowing out. Just before a crucial Tuesday meeting dubbed a “come-to-Jesus” session, a smaller contingent of Democrats from key swing districts held an emotionally charged meeting, complete with tears.

At the full caucus meeting of the Democrats, opinions were divided. One lawmaker who attended the emotionally charged meeting described it to Axios as “intense.” Another participant captured the prevailing sentiment, saying it was “pretty much unanimous” that Biden “has got to step down,” noting, “There were actual tears from people, and not for Biden.”

While some lawmakers defended Biden, others questioned his ability to compete against former President Donald Trump according to attendees. A House Democrat present at both meetings remarked, “Most of our caucus is still with him … meaning he’ll stay in. Which sucks for our country.”

Following the meeting on Tuesday, one lawmaker who had previously said to Axios that the revolt was “over” reiterated their stance, stating the meeting only solidified that perception. “There were no surprises there,” the lawmaker commented.

On Monday Biden released a lengthy letter addressing his future. His two-page letter exposed a window into his thinking as he pushes back against other party leaders who fear he is jeopardizing not only their chances of keeping the White House, but preserving a Senate majority and winning back the U.S. House as well.

The embattled president has rebuffed calls to step aside, saying it is time for Democrats to “come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”

This morning, I sent a letter to my fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill. In it, I shared my thoughts about this moment in our campaign.

It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/ABtAaJrr0n

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 8, 2024

Biden has tried to confirm he will not be dropping out of the race and cited strong electoral wins in state Democratic primaries as evidence that the party’s grassroots stands behind him as the nominee. Biden also followed up the letter with a Monday morning appearance on MSNBC where he warned Democrats against trying to force his hand.

“The bottom line here is that we’re not going anywhere — I am not going anywhere,” he said. “I had a bad night,” he said of his debate. “But the fact of the matter is — if there was something that was wrong that night, it’s not like it’s one night and it goes away. That’s why I’ve been out, I’ve been testing myself.”

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“Run against me. Announce for president. Challenge me at the convention,” Biden added. “The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump. We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us.”

On Sunday the New York Times reported that ranking House Democrats, convened by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), met privately to air grievances about Biden’s refusal to step aside.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

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