Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said Sunday that Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.) should resign over the fallout from DNC email leaks showing she and other party officials were openly against his presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton.
The situation is further awkward given Sanders just endorsed Clinton, although half-heartedly, at a campaign rally that was meant to be a triumph of party unity. Sanders supporters had long charged that the Democratic primary was rigged in favor of Clinton.
"I think I told you a long time ago that the DNC was not running a fair operation, that they were supporting Secretary Clinton," Sanders said on ABC's This Week. "So what I suggested to be true six months ago turns out, in fact, to be true. I'm not shocked, but I am disappointed, and that is the way it is."
This Week host George Stephanopoulos asked Sanders what should be done about it, and Sanders said it was further evidence she should not be in charge of the DNC.
"I think these emails reiterate that reason why she should not be the chair," Sanders said.
He added the Democratic Party needed to be open and bring in young and working people, touching on his populist campaign's themes.
Stephanopoulos asked if she should step aside as chair of the convention, as well.
"I think she should resign, period," Sanders said. "And I think we need a new chair who is going to lead us in a very different direction, that is taking on the billionaire class and fighting for an agenda that works for working families."
Later Sunday morning, CNN reported Schultz was out as convention chair and would play no role in Philadelphia whatsoever.
Note: This article has been updated.