Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has stirred controversy with her recent suggestion to add President Joe Biden to Mount Rushmore. During an interview on CBS News, Pelosi praised Biden’s accomplishments and argued that he deserves a place alongside the nation’s most iconic leaders.

“He was in a good place to make whatever decision — the top of his game,” Pelosi said. “Such a consequential president of the United States, a Mount Rushmore kind of president of the United States.”

The idea was met with skepticism by CBS host Lesley Stahl, who questioned Pelosi’s assertion. “Are you really saying that he belongs up there on Mount Rushmore? Lincoln and Joe Biden?” Stahl asked.

Pelosi defended her suggestion, referencing Teddy Roosevelt’s presence on the monument. “I don’t say take him down. But you can add Biden,” she replied.

Critics have been quick to point out the controversial nature of Biden’s presidency, arguing that his policies have had a negative impact on the country. The proposal has ignited a debate about what constitutes a “Mount Rushmore kind of president” and whether Biden’s legacy fits that criteria.

In the interview, Pelosi also addressed rumors about her role in pressuring Biden to reconsider his 2024 candidacy. “No, I wasn’t the leader of any pressure [campaign],” she said. “I didn’t call one person. I could always say to him, ‘I never called anybody.’”

However, a CNN report from last month suggested otherwise. The report claimed Pelosi privately told Biden that he would struggle to defeat former President Donald Trump, citing poor poll numbers. She reportedly warned him that staying in the race could harm the Democratic Party’s prospects.

When asked by MSNBC if she believes the 81-year-old Biden should step down, Pelosi avoided a direct answer. “I want him to do whatever he decides to do, and that’s the way it is,” she said. “Whatever he decides, we go with.”

The conversation between Pelosi and Biden reportedly involved other prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

Pelosi’s proposal to add Biden to Mount Rushmore has added a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about his presidency and the future of the Democratic Party. As debates continue, it remains to be seen how this suggestion will influence the broader political discourse.