Sanders on Biden reelection: ‘President has got to change course’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Sunday it will be “very hard” for most Americans, especially young people, to “be excited” about what’s going on in the world amid President Biden’s bid for reelection.

Anchor Jake Tapper asked Sanders on CNN’s “State of the Union” if Biden has “seriously damaged his standing” among young progressives who have criticized the U.S.’s position on the Israel-Hamas war. Sanders said while most people will likely still back Biden, many still have concerns about his handling of the ongoing conflict.

He also said that former President Trump, the front-runner in the GOP primary, is “one of the most dangerous political figures in modern American history.”

“So I think people will end up rallying around Biden. But there is no question, it is very hard for young people, I think for most Americans, to be excited about what is going on right now. [The] president has got to change course,” he said.

Sanders also called on Biden to maintain pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his concerns that “indiscriminate bombing” is taking place in Gaza.

“[Biden] has asked … Netanyahu over and over again to change course,” Sanders said. “Netanyahu just yesterday said, ‘No, we’re gonna continue doing what we are doing.’ Unacceptable. You cannot give billions of dollars to a country that ignores your wishes, violates international law.”

“So I would hope that the president follows through on his concerns and says to Netanyahu that this is unacceptable. ‘You’re not getting a nickel more from the United States unless you radically change course,'” Sanders added.