In a revealing turn of events, Jeff Zients, who served as Joe Biden's chief of staff, has acknowledged to congressional investigators that Biden's memory significantly declined during the latter part of his administration.
This admission, as reported by multiple sources, highlights the challenges faced by Biden, who required constant guidance in his final years in office.
According to the Daily Caller, Zients, a prominent aide, spent approximately six hours in a closed-door session with the House Oversight Committee, which is led by the GOP. His testimony sheds new light on the ongoing investigation into Biden's capability to hold office and the contentious use of the autopen for last-minute pardons.
Zients recounted that following Biden's challenging debate with President Donald Trump in June 2024, he recommended to White House physician Kevin OConnor that Biden undergo a thorough medical evaluation, including a cognitive assessment. Publicly, however, White House staffers attributed Bidens lackluster debate performance to a mere "cold."
Zients further elaborated on Biden's increasing difficulties with memory, noting that his struggles with recalling names and dates intensified over time. Decisions that previously required three meetings eventually necessitated four, as reported by the New York Post.
Additionally, Zients disclosed that Hunter Biden, the former president's son, participated in discussions regarding presidential pardons towards the end of Biden's term, attending meetings on some of the most contentious decisions, as reported by Axios.
During his tenure, Biden granted a record 4,245 acts of clemency, surpassing any previous president, according to the Pew Research Center. Notably, all pardons issued from December to January, including those for family members, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Gen. Mark Milley, were signed using an autopen, except for the preemptive pardon for Hunter Biden.
Zients also testified that Jill Biden played a role in managing her husband's schedule, ensuring he returned to the residence earlier in the evening and avoiding an overload of meetings. Former Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini echoed these sentiments, suggesting a reduction in Biden's workload and minimizing his physical exertion, including the use of stairs.
The testimony from Zients concludes the Oversight Committee's series of interviews with former Biden officials, part of a broader investigation into the alleged cover-up of Biden's cognitive decline. Previous witnesses, such as ex-spokesmen Ian Sams and Andrew Bates, admitted to rarely meeting with Biden directly, relying instead on senior aides to attest to his fitness. Former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who has since departed from the Democratic Party and announced a forthcoming tell-all book on the Biden administration, also provided testimony.
In a notable development, several individuals, including Jill Bidens top aide Anthony Bernal and Biden's personal physician Kevin OConnor, chose to invoke the Fifth Amendment rather than respond to inquiries about the former presidents condition. This ongoing investigation continues to raise questions about the transparency and decision-making processes within the Biden administration.
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