Washington D.C., United States – President Joe Biden is facing criticism over a report that raised concerns about his age and mental fitness. Although he will not be charged for keeping classified documents, the report described him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory”, prompting pushback from Democrats defending his capabilities.
Vice-President Kamala Harris denounced the characterization as “gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate,” claiming it was politically motivated. The report was led by Robert Hur, a Donald Trump appointee, and included comments about the president’s memory that were criticized as exceeding the scope of the investigation.
Despite concerns about Mr. Biden’s age and mental capacities, Democratic allies on Capitol Hill remain unconcerned about the president’s abilities. Senator Jon Ossoff emphasized that, based on his substantial time spent with the president, Mr. Biden remains sharp, focused, and effective.
On the other hand, some Republican senators expressed growing concern about Mr. Biden’s fitness for the presidency. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis stated, “His best is beginning to concern me,” highlighting the enduring problem of age and mental fitness for Mr. Biden’s re-election campaign.
Experts noted that the issue of age seems to stick more to Mr. Biden’s campaign, while former President Donald Trump does not face as much criticism from voters about his age, despite similar gaffes. The report further adds to the challenge of overcoming the perception that Mr. Biden is not mentally fit for office.
The developments are expected to impact Mr. Biden’s re-election campaign as the debate around his age and mental fitness continues to unfold, prompting further scrutiny of his capabilities as the leader of the free world.