Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna has publicly admitted it’s “obvious now” that President Biden was not mentally fit to run for reelection, leaving many questioning why the party leadership continued supporting his candidacy.
At a Glance
- Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) stated it’s “obvious now” that former President Biden was not in a condition to run for reelection
- Khanna, a former Biden campaign surrogate, acknowledged his previous defense of Biden was based on limited interactions
- His statements follow revelations from a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson about Biden’s cognitive decline
- The congressman called for open Democratic primaries, suggesting the party made a mistake in backing Biden
- Biden has denied experiencing significant cognitive decline during his final year in office
From Biden Defender to Critic
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who previously served as a surrogate for President Biden’s 2024 campaign, has made headlines with his stark admission regarding Biden’s mental fitness. Khanna’s comments mark a significant shift from his earlier defense of the president’s cognitive abilities. The congressman’s reassessment follows new reporting detailing Biden’s alleged mental decline during his presidency, particularly in his final year in office.
In an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “The Story,” Khanna faced direct questioning about his previous statements defending Biden. When confronted by host Martha MacCallum with past comments where he described Biden as “fully coherent,” Khanna admitted his perspective had changed based on new information. The congressman maintained he was truthful in earlier assessments but acknowledged they were based on limited interactions.
New Book Revelations Prompt Reassessment
Khanna’s changed position comes in the wake of reporting from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson for their book “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.” According to excerpts, Biden’s Cabinet was largely excluded toward the end of his term, with only close advisers and family interacting with him frequently. These revelations apparently prompted Khanna’s public reassessment.
“Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said it’s “obvious now” that former President Biden “was not in a condition” to run for reelection, following new reporting from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson.” say reports.
The congressman explained his previous defense of Biden, saying: “I was, I had met him a few times at public events, and he was, but of course, I didn’t have the full picture. I mean, I met him maybe two times on rope lines and at public events.” Khanna’s admission highlights the contrast between public appearances and what was happening behind closed doors in the Biden White House, according to the new reporting.
Call for Open Democratic Primaries
Beyond acknowledging Biden’s condition, Khanna suggested the Democratic Party erred in not holding open primaries. This statement challenges the party establishment’s decision to rally behind Biden for reelection despite growing concerns about his age and mental acuity. Khanna’s call for open primaries represents a direct critique of party leadership’s handling of the 2024 election cycle.
Despite his criticism, Khanna has not placed blame on Biden’s inner circle for failing to stop his reelection bid earlier. This measured approach suggests Khanna is attempting to balance accountability with party unity as Democrats assess the fallout from Biden’s presidency. The California representative’s comments signal growing willingness among Democrats to publicly acknowledge concerns that were previously dismissed as partisan attacks.
White House Pushback
Biden’s team has strongly rejected claims about his cognitive decline. A spokesperson criticized the new book, insisting Biden was an effective president with no evidence of being unable to perform his duties. Biden himself denied experiencing significant cognitive decline during his last year in office during an appearance on “The View.” Fox News Digital reportedly reached out to Joe and Jill Biden’s office for comment but did not receive a response.
The conflicting narratives between Biden’s team and growing evidence of decline present a challenging situation for Democratic leaders as they navigate the aftermath of Biden’s presidency. Khanna’s willingness to publicly acknowledge what he now sees as reality suggests more Democrats may follow suit in the coming months, potentially reshaping the party’s approach to leadership selection and transparency with voters.
