Joe Biden's rival Bernie Sanders has issued a surprise warning to members of the Democratic Party's "firing squad" as Donald Trump ramps up his attack against Kamala Harris.
Sanders, 82, conceded Biden is "old, prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Trump" but insists the 81-year-old needs the support of Democrats now more than ever.
Taking aim at members of the so-called "firing squad", Sanders said: "Biden may not be the ideal candidate but he will be the candidate and should be the candidate.
"And with an effective campaign that speaks to the needs of working families, he will not only defeat Mr Trump but beat him badly.
Biden's rival Bernie Sanders issues stark warning to Democrat 'firing squad' as Trump ramps up attack on Harris
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"It's time for Democrats to stop the bickering and nit-picking."
The Vermont Senator is not a natural ally of Biden, reiterating his frustrations with the President on Gaza and the Affordable Care Act.
Sanders finished second in Biden's successful 2020 Democratic primary campaign, receiving 26.2 per cent of the vote.
He performed even better up against Hillary Clinton in 2016, with 43.1 per cent support.
However, Sanders' intervention comes amid a fresh wave of calls for Biden to step aside.
Democrat-supporting actor George Clooney joined a growing list of previously sympathetic figures calling time on Biden's career.
The 46th President reignited concerns after confusing Vladimir Putin with Volodymyr Zelensky and mixing up Kamala Harris with Donald Trump.
Trump is all too aware of the pressure facing Biden ahead of November 5.
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Joe Biden speaking at the Nato summit in WashingtonREUTERSThe 78-year-old described his rival as a "broken down pile of c**p", adding: "He's quitting the race."
Trump's allies have put together a short clip blaming Harris for the southern border crisis which will play at next week's Republican National Convention.
"If you ever wondered how Joe Biden," the video opens, "can get the border so screwed up, he had help."
The video cuts away for clips of Harris laughing after the Vice President was tasked with controlling immigration from Central America.
Harris' spokesman showed there was no loved lost with the former President, insisting: "[She] has stood up to fraudsters and felons like Donald Trump her entire career."
Dropping out of the 2024 race at this stage would see Biden become the first Commander-in-Chief since Lyndon B Johnson to not seek re-election.
Grand Old Party insiders also believe Trump’s chances of returning to the White House have improved since Biden’s latest blunder.
A Republican strategist, who was previously critical of Trump’s chances, told GB News: “Trump, as it stands now, will beat Biden.
“Biden had yet another disastrous conference last night with Nato. It was awful.”
Kamala Harris has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Joe BidenREUTERSDespite calls for the 46th President to step aside, Biden defiantly reassured Democrats he would take on Trump later this year.
In a letter to Democratic figures in Washington, the 81-year-old wrote: “I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.”
Biden added: “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn't be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”
Biden separately claimed losing is “not an option” and stressed he is getting “frustrated by elites” in the Democratic Paty calling for him to quit.
Despite the public turning towards Trump following last month’s debate, opinion polls suggest Biden remains better placed than Harris to take on the ex-President.
JL Partners revealed that 47 per cent of voters currently support Trump, with just 42 per cent backing Biden.
However, Trump's vote share increases to 49 per cent against Harris, with the Vice President slumping to as low as 38 per cent.
Pastor Mark Burns, an ally of the 45th President, criticsed the First Lady for not advising Biden to step back but voiced support for the 46th President taking on Trump.
He told GB News: "'Dr' Jill Biden should be ashamed of herself for not advising her husband to stand down.
"But I personally hope Biden doesn't drop out. I need him to stay right where he is so President Trump and the American people can let our voices be heard loud and clear that we choose a stronger economy, secure borders, American jobs, less spending, endless wars and move away from woke racist policies. The American people will choose the greatest President in our lifetime, President Donald Trump."
