Former Biden Chief Testifies Cognitive Decline During Presidency

Jeff Zients, former chief of staff to President Joe Biden, testified to congressional investigators that Biden's memory and decision-making declined during his presidency, necessitating more meetings to make decisions and prompting calls for a comprehensive medical evaluation including cognitive testing after Biden's poor debate performance in June 2024. Zients revealed that Biden's struggles with remembering names and dates worsened over time, and that first lady Jill Biden intervened to manage his schedule, urging staff to reduce his workload and allow more rest. Discussions about presidential pardons involved Biden's son Hunter, who attended meetings related to controversial clemency decisions, many of which were signed using an autopen. Despite public explanations attributing Biden's debate difficulties to a cold, aides acknowledged the need for cognitive assessment, with senior officials expressing doubts about his capacity for a second term. The White House and Biden's team have faced criticism for allegedly shielding the president from public scrutiny regarding his health, with some Republicans calling for Jill Biden to testify about his condition. These revelations add significant context to ongoing debates about Biden's fitness for office during his final years as president.