Latest news and live updates on the 2024 election: Biden campaigns in Michigan

California Rep. Mike Levin called on President Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee in a virtual call with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Friday, according to three sources familiar with the call. It is the first time one of Biden’s growing internal critics has confronted the president with his opposition to his re-election campaign.

Biden joined the conference call around noon to acknowledge concerns raised by many Democrats in Congress about his suitability for a second term and to reiterate that he could not only finish the campaign but also intends to win in November, according to one of the people, who, like others, was granted anonymity to speak about it in a private phone call.

Another person told AP that the call started positively, with Biden asking members for feedback on how to reach out to Hispanic voters and which campaign events to attend. During the call, the president was able to be asked a few questions. Then Levin raised his hand and began a monologue about what he had heard from his Southern California district. Voters had told him that the president should not be at the top of the party’s list for 2024.

According to two of the people, Levin then called on the president to listen to those voters and resign.

Biden responded in kind, according to one person, saying he understood the threat Democrats faced from GOP nominee Trump, but he had a plan to win. The president then wanted to take more questions from members, but the call was abruptly ended by organizers.