A top Democrat has insisted that Joe Biden’s “mental acuity is great” despite a constant string of gaffes which has many concerned about the President’s cognitive ability.
Chuck Schumer dismissed reports that his memory was subpar as simply Republican “propaganda”.
Speaking at a press conference about whether the President would be fit for a second term, he said: “I talk to President Biden, you know, regularly. Or sometimes several times in a week, usually several times in a week.
“His mental acuity is great. It’s fine, it’s as good as it’s been over the years. I’ve been speaking to him for 30 years, since we worked on the Brady Bill and the assault weapons ban when I was a young congressman. And he’s — he’s fine. All this right-wing propaganda that his mental acuity has declined is wrong.”
A top democrat has insisted Biden's 'mental acuity is GREAT'
ReutersHis remarks oppose a recent Department of Justice report which claimed that Biden, 81, has “diminished faculties” and a “poor memory”.
The report, authored by Special Counsel Robert Hur, who spoke with the President regarding classified documents, described the 81-year-old as a “well-meaning, elderly man.”
The report said: “It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him – by then a former president well into his eighties – of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.”
Hur said he decided not to charge Biden for mishandling of documents – which related to China and Ukraine respectively – partly due to his “poor memory”.
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Special Counsel Robert Hur, who spoke with the President regarding classified documents, described the 81-year-old as a 'well-meaning, elderly man'
PAThe White House previously said Hur’s comments on the President’s memory were “gratuitous” and “inappropriate”.
Republicans have called for the recordings of Biden’s interviews with Hur to be released.
Three House committee chairs wrote: “The oversight committee has sought information regarding President Biden’s mishandling of classified information in relation to its ongoing investigation into his participation in his family’s international business dealings in, among other places, China and Ukraine.
“For our investigatory purposes, the committees require certain records relating to Hur’s investigation and report. Given the seriousness of these matters, the committees are prepared to compel the production of this material if necessary.”
A new poll showed that 86 per cent of Americans think Biden is too old, whilst Trump scored better, coming in at 62 per cent
ReutersA poll released on Monday by Ipsos’ Knowledge panel showed 86 per cent of Americans think the 81-year-old is too old to serve another term.
Meanwhile, 62 per cent of Americans think Trump, 77, is too old to serve a non-consecutive second term in the White House.
Responding to questions about his age, Biden said: “I am well-meaning. And I’m an elderly man. And I know what the hell I’m doing.
“I’ve been president – I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation.”