GOP Rep. says Biden's health becoming 'national security issue'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Jun 2023 10:15

GOP Representative Ronny Jackson, who served as White House physician in previous administrations, once again voiced his concern regarding US President Joe Biden's health as the latter seeks to run for reelection.

Representative Ronny Jackson, Texas, speaks during a interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, Saturday, March 4, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP)

Former White House physician turned Texas GOP Representative Ronny Jackson continued to voice his concerns regarding US President Joe Biden's mental and physical health following the latter's fall at the US Air Force Academy.

President #JoeBiden tripped and fell after handing out the last diploma at a graduation ceremony at the #US Air Force Academy on Thursday.

The 80-year-old president quickly got up on one knee, helped by three people, and walked back to his seat unassisted.

Former President… pic.twitter.com/1otR7O0YqU
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 2, 2023

Jackson stated that Biden is "not fit" to be President, neither "mentally or physically." The role of a president, the GOP representative said, was to inspire confidence and project power, but Biden, the congressman explained, has failed to achieve this goal due to old age and clear mental and physical inaptitude.

Following the president's fall on stage during a recent commencement ceremony at the US Air Force Academy, Jackson stated that Biden is "not fit mentally or physically" to be president. According to Jackson, part of the president's role is to inspire confidence and project power, which he believes Biden is failing to do due to his age and perceived decline.

"I think his lack of physical ability and his physical decline is now starting to highlight the cognitive decline that we’ve been watching for so long now."

"It’s a package that just doesn’t sell around the world, and it’s becoming a national security issue for us. We have to do something about."

Jackson attacked the White House for allowing this to happen, expressing his surprise that Biden, who is presently 80 years old, was thinking about running for another term until the age of 86.

"To think that this man thinks he can be president at the age of 86 when he's 80 right now [and] could be in office for another six years is just malpractice on part of the White House in the West Wing to allow this to be happening, for him to even be talking about running for another term."

Jackson urged responsibility calling on Biden's close circle, including First Lady Jill Biden, to take appropriate action.

"Somebody needs to be held accountable. People like Jill Biden and people that surround him and are supposed to love him and care about him, they should be doing something about this, and they should be stopping this because it's a shame," Jackson said before adding that the President has reached a "point where our commander in chief needs a walker."

Take cognitive test or drop out of 2024 race

Earlier, in May, Jackson demanded that Biden take a cognitive test or drop out of the 2024 race. Prior requests for Biden to take a cognitive test were also sponsored by Jackson, including one in July 2022 that was backed by more than 50 House Republicans. The most recent letter was released in May when Biden declared that he will run for reelection.

"We believe that, regardless of gender, age, or political party, all presidents should document and demonstrate sound mental abilities… Although [Biden has] undergone two physical exams during [his] presidency, one on 19 November 2021, and another on 16 February 2023, there is no indication [he has] had any cognitive assessment, or if [he had], such results were concealed from the public," the Republicans wrote in their letter.

“Over the past two years, public appearances where you shuffle your feet, trip when you walk, slur your words, forget names, lose your train of thought, and appear momentarily confused have become more of a common occurrence. These incidents are so common and noticeable that if you search ‘Biden gaffes’ online, more than 14 million results appear," the letter read.

The GOP group referenced a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll that revealed 57% of people "do not believe you are mentally fit to serve as President or have doubts about your mental fitness."

The Republicans emphasized that Americans had the right to "absolute confidence in their President and know that he or she can perform their duties as Head of State and Commander in Chief" in their closing statement.