Biden Admin Officials Note Decline In President's Vigor: WSJ Report

Concerns Arise Over President's Vigor And Engagement

A report by the Wall Street Journal has raised concerns about President Joe Biden's stamina and mental acuity, based on insights from White House staff, former aides, and lawmakers. This has reportedly impacted his interactions and availability for meetings with Cabinet members and Congress.

White House staff noted signs of waning stamina and increased confusion in President Biden within the first few months of his presidency. Observations by nearly 50 individuals, including current and former aides, members of Congress, and Cabinet officials, informed the report's findings.

Specific incidents highlighted included the cancellation of a national security meeting in the spring of 2021, attributed to Biden having a "bad day," according to a former aide.

Changes in Presidential Accessibility Noted by Congress

Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, expressed concerns about reduced accessibility to the President compared to his predecessors. Representative Jim Himes and Adam Smith noted a significant reduction in personal contact with Biden compared to former President Obama.

Biden's approach to meetings has shifted, with fewer full Cabinet meetings being held—only eight compared to his predecessors in the same timeframe. This has been perceived as a lack of engagement, prompting some Cabinet members to cease requesting calls with him, as they felt unwelcome by his staff.

The White House has defended these changes as a shift toward modern communication methods, emphasizing more frequent but less formal interactions with Cabinet members.

Supportive Statements from Cabinet Members

Despite concerns, several Cabinet members have publicly supported President Biden's leadership and capabilities. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others have affirmed his incisive leadership style and attention to detail during meetings.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo have specifically praised Biden's mental sharpness and effectiveness. Mayorkas described his preparedness for meetings with Biden, expecting detailed and probing questions that build on previous discussions and decisions.

Raimondo described Biden as "one of the most accomplished presidents in American history," noting his steady and effective leadership in meetings with Cabinet and foreign leaders.

White House Response to Concerns

The White House, through spokesman Andrew Bates, responded to the report by emphasizing Biden's ongoing engagement with his Cabinet. Bates noted, "President Biden speaks with members of his Cabinet daily, and with most members, multiple times a week, staying in close touch with them about the implementation of key laws and strengthening our national security."

Bates also addressed the perceived insularity of the Biden White House, as noted by Rep. Adam Smith, by stating that while some in Washington might feel left out, it does not reflect the breadth of the President's engagements.

Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary for Defense Secretary Austin, echoed this support, citing Biden's tough decision-making abilities and commitment to national security, adding, "he has nothing but total confidence in our Commander-in-Chief."