'If not me, then who?': Dean Phillips declares decision to challenge Joe Biden in 2024 presidential race on 'Fox & Friends'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Congressman Dean Phillips joined co-host Brain Kilmeade to share why he decided to make a bid for the presidency of the United States on the January 22 episode of 'Fox & Friends.'

Calling the state of the country "a trainwreck," the Minnesota congressman stressed that "someone has got to say the quiet part out loud."

"All I am (doing) is telling the truth, the same thing that everybody in Washington talks about quietly behind closed doors. Then they get in front of TV cameras and it's a totally different ball game."

Dean Phillips addresses the 'problem in politics'

"Someone has to practice democracy," stated Phillips, "And if not me, then who? If not now, when?"

He claimed that he had tried to make other politicians enter the race, but they turned out to be "sheepish" and wanted to "wait for their moment," which he claimed was a "problem in politics."

When Kilmeade suggested that it had not been a problem in the past, the congressman agreed, saying, "Competition makes the country better… in politics. In economy, it makes better outcomes, better value - same thing here."

"Most people in Washington simply wish to stick around for…years, and you don't want to do anything to get out of the line. This is not my career. I did this to serve my country, I'm going to do it now to serve my country," he added.

Dean Phillips explains how he would do things differently

Phillips started on the topic by mentioning that he was a businessman. While he lauded "some good investments" of the Biden administration, like "the Chips Act, the Infrastructure Bill," he said that it was time to "invest in Americans" for a change.

"Healthcare, out-of-control expenses, housing - we need to build 7 million houses in America, education - unaffordable, and food and fuel. I'm talking to New Hampshire voters every single day who are desperate for help and the government is not listening," he noted.

The congressman shared that he had some center-of-right ideas as well, such as fiscal responsibility and border security. "Our southern border is a disaster… someone has to get it under control," he told Kilmeade.

It was time for a change in policy according to Phillips, as he stated, "The lack of leadership and the willingness to be bold because you are afraid of losing an election is why we are in this position."