2024 election updates: Biden returns to the campaign trial following press conference

President Joe Biden, under the microscope as Democrats debate his political future, tried to make the case that he is best suited to take on Donald Trump this November and finish what he's started in a second term.

In a nearly hourlong solo press conference, Biden faced a room full of reporters for the first time since his poor debate performance two weeks ago sent his party into a panic about his mental fitness and ability to carry out his campaign.

Almost all questions posed to the president focused on those issues, with Biden on defense on everything from his cognitive health to whether he believes his vice president could take on the role.

The president remained adamant that he believes he is the most qualified person to go up against Trump.

"I beat him once, and I will beat him again," Biden said.

Here are several key takeaways Biden's press conference.

Following President Biden's NATO press conference, Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes released a statement, calling on Biden to "step away from the presidential campaign."

"The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trump's MAGA authoritarianism," Himes said.

Moments after the news conference with President Biden, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee called on the president to step aside.

"I no longer believe that is Joe Biden, and I hope that, as he has throughout a lifetime of public service, he will continue to put our nation first, and, as he promised, make way for a new generation of leaders," he said.

Rep. Himes becomes the 15th House Dem to call for this publicly, per ABC News' count.

Biden has wrapped up a nearly hourlong news conference in which he batted away questions about his age and fitness for office, while defending his record.

The president opened with an eight-minute statement, largely about the NATO summit he hosted in Washington, before taking reporters' questions.

Biden called on reporters from 10 news organizations. He was asked about Democrats calling on him to drop his reelection bid, Vice President Kamala Harris and foreign policy.

The president insisted that he has no plans to drop out to make room for Vice President Kamala Harris or anyone else.

Asked if he would considering bowing out before November if shown data that Harris could perform better against Trump, Biden responded, "No, unless they came back and said, 'There's no way you can win.'"

"No one's saying that," Biden said. "No poll says that."

He conceded that there are probably other candidates "who can beat Trump" but pointed to his campaign's strong fundraising and operations in battleground states, noting that anyone other than him would have "to start from scratch."