Bernie Sanders said he was “not shocked” by what came out of the email leak of internal DNC correspondence obtained and posted by WikiLeaks. | Getty Sanders pleased by Wasserman Schultz resignation

Hours after calling for her resignation, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday commended DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for stepping down.

“Debbie Wasserman Schultz has made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party," he said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "While she deserves thanks for her years of service, the party now needs new leadership that will open the doors of the party and welcome in working people and young people. The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race."


Earlier Sunday, Sanders said the Democratic National Committee chair should resign now in the wake of email leaks that showed the DNC and Wasserman Schultz working against the Sanders campaign despite vows to remain neutral in the Democratic primary.

“I think she should resign, period,” Sanders said on ABC’s “This Week.” “And I think we need a new chair who is going to lead us in a very different direction.”

Sanders said he was “not shocked” by what came out of the email leak of internal DNC correspondence obtained and posted by WikiLeaks on Friday. “I’m disappointed, and that’s the way it is,” the Vermont independent said.

On CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sanders was asked to respond to emails from DNC officials questioning his religion. “It is an outrage, and it’s sad that you would have people in important positions in the DNC trying to undermine my campaign,” Sanders said.

But Hillary Clinton’s primary rival played down calls for him to continue challenging her as the Democratic nominee, saying that defeating Donald Trump is now his primary focus. Sanders also said he was pleased with movement on certain issues when it comes to the party platform.

And Sanders praised Clinton’s vice presidential pick, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), even though he acknowledged that Kaine’s views are more conservative than his.

“On his worst, worst, worst day, Tim Kaine is 100 times better than Donald Trump will ever be,” Sanders said on CNN.

