Key Takeaways:
- Constitutional expert Jonathan Turley supports Trump’s investigation into Biden’s cognitive health.
- Turley highlights Biden’s public gaffes and mental lapses as red flags.
- The 25th Amendment may not address slow cognitive decline effectively.
- Americans deserve transparency about presidential health, Turley argues.
Turley: Americans Deserve Answers on Biden’s Cognitive Health
Jonathan Turley, a well-known constitutional law expert, is urging Americans to support a review ordered by Donald Trump into concerns about President Joe Biden’s cognitive health. Turley believes there are “ample reasons” for the nation to demand answers about Biden’s fitness for office.
The professor points to Biden’s public mishaps, such as his infamous moment when he asked, “Where’s Jackie?” during a meeting in September 2022. He was referring to Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski, who had died weeks earlier in a car accident. Biden had previously issued a condolence statement and even attended her memorial service, making his question shocking to many.
Turley calls this incident a “wake-up call” that should have raised serious questions about Biden’s ability to lead. He criticizes both Democratic politicians and the media for ignoring or downplaying these signs of decline.
Why an Investigation Matters
Turley supports Trump’s June 4 order for his administration to investigate Biden’s competence. He also notes that the House Oversight Committee is conducting its own investigation. Some critics, like The New York Times, have dismissed this as a political vendetta by Trump. However, Turley argues that it’s inconsistent for journalists to accuse Biden’s White House of a cover-up while criticizing efforts to investigate it.
One key area of focus is whether Biden used an autopen—a machine that signs documents automatically—without his direct authorization. If this is proven, Turley warns it could lead to serious charges like forgery, obstruction of justice, or fraud. While criminal charges are unlikely, the investigation could shed light on how the White House handles matters of presidential health.
A Historical Perspective
Turley draws parallels to President Woodrow Wilson, who suffered a stroke in 1919 and was unable to perform his duties effectively. Wilson’s condition was kept hidden from the public, leading to a lack of accountability. Turley argues that Americans must learn from history and demand greater transparency about presidential health.
The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides a process to address a president’s inability to serve. However, Turley explains that this amendment is designed for sudden, catastrophic events—like a major stroke or severe injury—not for gradual cognitive decline. He warns that this leaves the country vulnerable to leadership issues if a president’s mental capacity slowly deteriorates.
The Consequences of Ignoring the Issue
Turley fears that the worst outcome would be if Americans and politicians simply shrug off concerns about Biden’s health. He notes that during Biden’s presidency, he has been kept on a reduced schedule, attending only major events. This, Turley argues, is a clear sign of efforts to manage his public appearances and hide potential issues.
“The 25th Amendment was designed for catastrophic medical events, not the slow slide to senility,” Turley said. “The result for the office can be largely the same, but the process of addressing it is far more complicated.”
A Call for Accountability
Turley emphasizes that the goal of the investigation is not to remove Biden from office but to ensure accountability and transparency. He believes that Americans have the right to know whether their leaders are capable of fulfilling their duties.
As the nation grapples with these questions, one thing is clear: the fitness of a president is a matter of national importance. Turley’s call for accountability serves as a reminder that the health and competence of America’s leaders should never be swept under the rug.