News/Commentary

‘No word on cognitive exam’: Biden makes surprise trip to Walter Reed for alleged ‘physical’

February 28, 2024 | | Print Article

Sparking speculation, President Joe Biden’s South Lawn shuffle included an announcement for an unscheduled trip to the hospital.

Weeks after Special Counsel Robert Hur presented the state of Biden’s mental faculties as a reason not to charge him for mishandling classified documents, and little more than a day since those issues manifested in a 25th Amendment resolution, the president told the press Wednesday he was headed for his annual physical.

With a to-go cup in one hand, the octogenarian marched out of the White House to meet Marine One on the South Lawn and waved to the press as he announced, “I’m going to Walter Reed to get my physical.”

The appointment with White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor, which happened to coincide with his son Hunter Biden’s closed-door testimony with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and House Judiciary Committee pertaining to an impeachment probe, had not been listed on the president’s schedule.

Later, after his helicopter transport landed for a motorcade transfer, there was still “No word on whether it will include a cognitive exam.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Days after Hur’s report was released, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had quoted O’Connor in telling the media that Biden would not have his cognitive function tested, “The president proves every day [in] how he operates and how he thinks, by dealing with world leaders, by making difficult decisions on behalf of the American people — whether it’s domestic or it’s national security.”

Meanwhile, Colorado Rep. Ken Buck (R) had introduced a resolution Monday that read in part, “Calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Joseph R. Biden incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as Acting President.”

In particular, the lawmaker had made reference to the president’s press conference following the release of Hur’s report as one of many examples of cause for concern. “Whereas, on February 8, 2024, during a White House press conference, President Joseph R. Biden reassured reporters that his memory was fine and then referred to Egypt’s President Abel Fattah al-Sisi as the President of Mexico.”

“Numerous instances were articulated in the report, and have played out in full public view, showing President Biden’s apparent cognitive decline and lack of mental stamina,” Buck had told Fox News Digital.

With the White House expected to release a summary of the physical exam’s results later Wednesday, and with a majority of voters in numerous polls expressing concern about the president’s age in seeking a second term, reactions over the unannounced trip to Walter Reed Medical Center, reactions were skeptical not only of what the report would say, but how the Democratic Party would move forward based on the results.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Kevin Haggerty
Latest posts by Kevin Haggerty (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles