President Biden attended a Juneteenth celebration at the White House, where he suddenly froze for about 30 seconds, sparking concerns about his age and mental sharpness.
The incident has led to criticism from Republicans who question Biden's fitness for office ahead of the 2024 election.
Fox News reported that during the event, the president was seen standing motionless while others around him, including Vice President Kamala Harris, clapped and danced.
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, noticed the president's stillness and placed his arm around him before they exchanged a few words. This moment quickly drew the attention of political opponents and the media.
Republican critics swiftly used the incident to underscore their concerns about Biden's ability to handle presidential duties. At 81, Biden is the oldest sitting president in U.S. history and would be 86 at the end of a potential second term. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.
Comparisons have been made to similar instances involving other senior politicians. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, aged 81, experienced two similar freezing incidents last year. Following these incidents, McConnell announced he would step down from his leadership role after the election.
Biden has been under scrutiny for various gaffes and moments of confusion over the past few years. Critics point to instances where he referenced deceased individuals as alive and his confusion over the timing of significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic. A Wall Street Journal report detailed examples of Biden's lack of clarity in private meetings.
In one notable example, Biden called out, "Jackie, are you here? Where's Jackie?" referring to former Rep. Jackie Walorski, who had died the previous month. Another incident involved Biden mistakenly attributing a quote to French President François Mitterrand, who has been deceased since 1996.
Despite the criticism, the White House and Biden's Cabinet members have defended his mental acuity and performance. They argue that Biden has a deep record of legislative accomplishment and remains a savvy and effective leader. White House spokesman Andrew Bates commented on the criticism, stating:
Congressional Republicans, foreign leaders, and nonpartisan national-security experts have made clear in their own words that President Biden is a savvy and effective leader who has a deep record of legislative accomplishment. Now, in 2024, House Republicans are making false claims as a political tactic that flatly contradict previous statements made by themselves and their colleagues.
Republicans have not relented in their criticism. The Republican National Committee's rapid response account on X questioned, "Why isn't Biden moving?" Former President Trump's campaign added to the rhetoric by posting, "Lights are on but no one's home." Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, made a quip, "Who said Biden's got no rhythm?"
Biden's public missteps have added fuel to the fire for those questioning his capabilities. These include incidents where he confused important timelines and made inaccurate references to deceased world leaders. Such gaffes have only increased in frequency and severity in recent years.
The Department of Justice's special counsel also described Biden as an "elderly man with a poor memory" in a report regarding his mishandling of classified documents. These incidents and his age have bolstered arguments that Biden may be declining and unable to fulfill presidential responsibilities effectively.
The recent incident during the White House Juneteenth celebration has reignited concerns about President Biden's age and mental fitness. While his supporters and the White House defend his record and leadership, the criticism from Republican opponents is intensifying. As Biden faces potential re-election in 2024, these moments of public stillness and confusion will likely continue to be focal points in the political debate.
