Biden Rallies Union Leaders amid 2024 Election Concerns

President Joe Biden met with the AFL-CIO, America’s largest federation of trade unions, to consolidate support for his 2024 campaign. Despite calls from figures like George Clooney for Biden to step aside, union leaders reaffirmed their backing, emphasizing Biden's pro-union stance. However, concerns remain about his age and debate performance.

President Joe Biden met Wednesday with the executive council of the AFL-CIO, America's largest federation of trade unions, in an effort to shore up support from a critical constituency as he faces calls to step aside in the 2024 campaign. "I think of you as my domestic NATO — not a joke," the 81-year-old president told the crowd gathered at headquarters.

Asked hours later about actor George Clooney's opinion piece urging Biden to leave the race, the president responded with "AFL-CIO!" and then pumped his fists. The AFL-CIO stated that the meeting had been scheduled for over a year, but Biden's recent weak debate performance against Donald Trump brought additional scrutiny.

Biden, talking without a teleprompter, thanked union leaders for their support and outlined future plans to dispel doubts about his reelection campaign. The AFL-CIO unanimously voted to reaffirm its backing of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, lauding them as the most pro-union administration in history.

One union leader criticized Biden for not showing enough fight, while others like United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, called for clearer plans to defeat Trump. Despite apprehensions about Biden's age, union leaders argue that his policy achievements outweigh such concerns.

The AFL-CIO noted 42 specific objections to Trump's presidency, contrasting those with Biden's track record of supporting union workers. As Trump attempts to garner union support, Biden's edge with union households remains a critical factor for his reelection bid.

(With inputs from agencies.)