Ex-Biden Aide Testifies No Conspiracy on Biden Cognitive Decline

Steve Ricchetti, a longtime aide and counselor to former President Joe Biden, testified before the GOP-led House Oversight Committee to defend Biden's mental fitness and refute claims of cognitive decline during his presidency. Ricchetti described allegations of a conspiracy to hide Biden's mental condition as baseless and said any concerns about Biden's age were treated as political messaging rather than evidence of impairment. He insisted that Biden was fully capable of performing presidential duties throughout his term and could have won a second term in 2024, characterizing Biden's public mistakes as common and not increasing since his vice presidency. Ricchetti's testimony contradicted earlier statements by Biden's former Chief of Staff Ron Klain, who acknowledged some decline in memory and energy but affirmed Biden's ability to govern. Ricchetti also criticized the investigation as a partisan effort to distract from the current administration’s challenges. Throughout the hearing, Ricchetti was reportedly combative and defensive, with his lawyer frequently intervening during questioning.