President Biden's stamina concerns were observed by Biden admin officials in his initial months in office, according to a report.
Biden's Cabinet continues to support his assessment of his mental abilities.
A report from the Wall Street Journal reveals that President Biden's staff observed his declining energy and growing confusion during his first few months in office.
Nearly 50 people, including current and former White House staffers and lawmakers, were interviewed by the Journal for its report on the president.
A former aide recounted a national security official's explanation for canceling a spring 2021 meeting in its entirety.
The official remembered saying, "He has good days and bad days, and today was a bad day, so we'll address it tomorrow."
Congressional Democrats claimed that Biden was less accessible than previous presidents. They stated that he held fewer meetings with members of Congress and that these meetings were typically brief.
"Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., stated to the Journal that the Biden White House was more isolated than most. He revealed that he spoke with Barack Obama on multiple occasions while he was president, even before he became the committee chairman."
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., stated that he had more personal contact with Obama despite being a junior member, which is unusual.
According to the WSJ, even members of Biden's own Cabinet stopped requesting calls with the president after perceiving from interactions with staff that such calls were unwelcome.
According to a source, the Journal spoke with several Cabinet members who refuted allegations that Biden is mentally incompetent. Among those interviewed were Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and EPA Administrator Michael Regan, as well as others, but the Journal did not include their statements in its article.
Biden had fewer than half as many full Cabinet meetings as his predecessors in their first terms.
The White House refuted the Journal's report on Biden's policy accomplishments, stating that they prove his qualifications and leadership in a statement given to Planet Chronicle Digital.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates stated that President Biden maintains close contact with his Cabinet members through daily meetings and multiple weekly conversations, keeping them informed about the implementation of key laws and national security. Despite some Washington insiders not receiving as much time with the president as they desire, Bates emphasized that President Biden engages thoroughly with others, just as he does.
The tradition of cabinet meetings is significant, but the modern work environment means they occur less frequently. Scholars who research the presidency have highlighted that each member of the Cabinet, including the President, are busy leaders, and more can be achieved by speaking with the President one-on-one or in smaller settings with officials who have related portfolios.
This week, Planet Chronicle Digital contacted Cabinet officials and their departments to inquire about their belief in Biden's fitness to serve and whether they still stood by their previous statements of confidence in his ability to continue.
In a statement in September, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressed his "full confidence in President Biden's ability to perform his duties."
"I am always fully prepared for my meetings with President Biden, knowing that his questions will be detailed, probing, and exacting. He always analyzes the issues based on our prior conversations and past events," he stated.
On Monday, DHS said that the secretary stands by those comments.
Gina Raimondo, the Secretary of Commerce, has praised Biden as one of the greatest American presidents and has commended his leadership skills.
Raimondo, who is present during the President's meetings with the Cabinet and foreign leaders, stated that he is a sharp and exceptional leader.
A spokesperson said this week that Raimondo stands by those comments.
Sabrina Singh, Pentagon press secretary, stated in September that Secretary Austin has full confidence in President Biden's ability to make tough national security decisions and keep troops safe.
This week, Singh said those comments still stand.
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