Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson has raised concerns regarding President Joe Biden's mental decline, asserting these issues have been apparent since 2019.
Jackson, who served as a White House doctor for multiple presidents, believes political interests have overshadowed addressing Joe Biden's cognitive health, according to Daily Mail.
In his previous role, Jackson worked as part of the White House medical team under George W. Bush and later became the primary physician for both President Obama and President Trump from 2013 to 2018. During Biden's candidacy in 2019, Jackson noticed apparent signs of cognitive decline, including instances where Biden showed confusion and had memory lapses.
As a presidential candidate, Biden's mannerisms and public appearances prompted Jackson to worry about potential health concerns. Jackson detailed observing Biden's staggered walking and moments during which he seemed unfocused or unsure of simple details, such as names.
These signs became more scrutinized after Biden's participation in a debate against then-President Donald Trump. The debate performance appeared to fuel speculations about Biden’s cognitive capabilities, contributing to what some speculate was a factor in his decision to exit the race for reelection a few weeks later.
Jackson also expressed disapproval of those close to the President, including his physician Kevin O'Connor, claiming they failed to adequately assess or disclose Biden's health status for their political gains. Jackson accused them of putting political interests above Biden and the nation's wellbeing.
O'Connor, who has been Biden's doctor since 2009, has worked intimately with the President and his family, overseeing his medical care over the years. Despite this relationship, Jackson believes that the full extent of Biden's condition has been downplayed in public disclosures.
Further concerns were raised in a special counsel report issued by Robert Hur in February 2024, which described Joe Biden as suffering from memory issues and reduced cognitive faculties associated with aging. Descriptions in the report fueled more calls from critics like Jackson for transparency about Biden's cognitive health.
Jackson emphasized the gravity of having a top leader potentially unable to perform his duties due to health issues. Such scenarios, according to Jackson, urged action to prevent such situations from recurring.
The debate and subsequent scrutiny seemed to affect Biden’s public support and polling figures. His declining popularity played a role in his decision to step back from seeking another term in the Oval Office. According to Jackson, these developments point to deeper concerns about governance under the current administration.
Jackson's comments underscore a broader debate about the transparency surrounding the health of public leaders. This matter has historical precedence, with prior instances of leaders whose capabilities were questioned due to health decline while in office.
Jackson has urged for an all-encompassing investigation to understand who in the White House has been responsible for critical decisions, suspecting that unelected aides may have undue influence. He views such transparency as critical to democratic processes and accountability to citizens.
Maintaining a neutral stance, Jackson reiterated that his observations and calls for inquiry are grounded in concern for the nation's future leadership integrity. The significance of leadership capability, he argues, transcends individual administration affiliations.
The unfolding debate presents challenges and opportunities for both political transparency and public discourse regarding the health of national leaders. Jackson remains firm in his resolve that addressing these issues is necessary for the future of how leadership is conducted in the United States.
As the conversation unfolds, the nation watches with interest on how this will influence not only current leadership perceptions but also shape approaches for future electoral processes and candidate health disclosures.
