As President Joe Biden prepares to leave the White House, staff members have begun to voice concerns regarding his cognitive decline. At 82, Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history, faced scrutiny over his mental acuity, particularly after a debate last June that prompted him to withdraw from his re-election bid.
Mike Johnson, the incoming Speaker of the House, recounted a troubling meeting where Biden appeared unaware of an executive order he had signed months earlier that paused liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Johnson expressed alarm at Biden's lack of awareness, stating, “I walked out of that meeting with fear and loathing because I thought, ‘We are in serious trouble—who is running the country?’”
Reports indicate that Biden's aides actively managed his public appearances and schedule to mitigate signs of his declining abilities. Adjustments included rescheduling meetings based on Biden’s fluctuating mental clarity and shielding him from negative information. These measures highlight the challenges faced by his team in maintaining effective governance during his final days in office.