Independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia called on President Joe Biden to not seek reelection on CNN's “State of the Union” Sunday morning.

Biden has been under increasing pressure to withdraw from the race since facing former President Trump in a June 27, 2024 debate. Manchin, who left the Democratic party in late May, Join There are 36 Democrats in Congress who have publicly called on Biden to not seek reelection.

Manchin began by explaining the three weeks of silence, saying the first week was for Biden to connect with family and staff, and the second was for him to survey House and Senate Democrats who face “difficult” campaigns. Manchin told CNN's Jake Tapper that it's been “really tough” for the incumbent Democrat to see donors abandon Biden, because “campaign finances are like the mother's milk of a campaign.”

“My prayers are with the health and well-being of my friend the president, and I believe he has a chance, an opportunity, to finish five months of his presidency with a desire to fundamentally preside over the job at hand, whether as a senator or as president, and to be a unifier that brings us together; to be able to bring peace to the Middle East; to be able to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom; and also to show the whole world how the transfer of power can be done in the most respectful way by a global superpower,” Manchin said.

“I hope so, because I think he's going to leave a great legacy as one of the greatest leaders we've ever had,” he continued, “and I say this, it's with a heavy heart that I come to this decision, and I believe it's now time to pass the baton to a new generation.”

Manchin said he wants to see an “open process” used to select the Democratic presidential nominee, and told Tapper he's backing Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. (RELATED: 'A total miracle': Trump's White House physician gives medical update after shooting)

“Right next to me are two great governors, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who serve legislatures that are either evenly split or completely opposite party lines,” Manchin said. “They're not dividing states. They're not making people choose one side and demonizing the other. They're bringing people together.”

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat, became the first Senate Democrat to call for Biden to withdraw in an op-ed published July 10. The Washington PostWelch was joined by Sen. Jon Tester of Montana on Thursday, Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico on Friday and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio later Friday.

Biden canceled a campaign event in Las Vegas after testing positive for COVID-19 late Wednesday, the same day he said doctors might persuade him to cancel the event if “health concerns” became apparent.