President Biden’s staff observed his declining stamina and growing confusion during the initial months of his presidency, as per a recent report from the Wall Street Journal.
Based on interviews with nearly 50 individuals, including current and former White House staff who directly interacted with the president and lawmakers, the Journal detailed the concerns.
One ex-aide recounted how a national security official canceled a meeting in spring 2021 due to Biden’s fluctuating performance, saying, “He has good days and bad days, and today was a bad day so we’re going to address this tomorrow.”
According to Democratic lawmakers, Biden was less accessible than predecessors, having brief and infrequent meetings with members of Congress.
Following Vice President Kamala Harris’ election loss, mainstream media criticized President Biden for not leaving his re-election campaign sooner. (AP )
Rep. Adam Smith noted, “The Biden White House was more isolated than most.” He compared his limited interactions with President Biden to his more frequent engagements with former President Obama.
Similarly, Rep. Jim Himes expressed surprise at the lack of personal contact with Biden compared to Obama, despite being in a lower position.
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Even Biden’s own Cabinet members stopped seeking calls with him after perceiving that such interactions were not welcomed by the staff, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While Cabinet members like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and EPA Administrator Michael Regan defended Biden’s mental acuity in on-record interviews, their statements were not included in the report.
President Joe Biden’s age was a focal point in the 2024 campaign prior to his withdrawal. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Compared to his predecessors, Biden held significantly fewer full Cabinet meetings during his first term, drawing criticism from various sources.
In response to the Journal’s report, the White House defended Biden’s performance, emphasizing his policy achievements as evidence of his competence and leadership.
The White House spokesperson stated, “President Biden maintains regular communication with his Cabinet members to discuss key laws and national security.”
The White House further added, “Cabinet meetings can be less frequent in the modern work environment, and individual discussions can lead to better outcomes for the American people.”
Regarding Cabinet officials’ views on Biden’s fitness for office, statements from Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh affirmed their confidence in the president.
