House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has disclosed a troubling encounter with President Joe Biden that casts doubt on the commander-in-chief’s mental acuity.
In a conversation with the Free Press’ Bari Weiss, Johnson recounted a meeting in early 2024 where Biden appeared unaware of an executive order he had signed just weeks prior, as reported by the New York Post.
The incident occurred during a discussion about aid to Ukraine in the Oval Office.
When Johnson inquired about Biden’s recent executive order freezing new permits for liquid natural gas exports, a crucial issue for Johnson’s home state of Louisiana, the President denied taking such action
.”I didn’t do that,” Biden reportedly told Johnson, who pressed the issue, explaining the significant impact on his state’s economy and national security.
Johnson stated, “Sir, you paused it, I know. I have the export terminals in my state. I talked to those people in my state, I’ve talked to those people this morning, this is doing massive damage to our economy, national security.”
Biden’s continued denial left Johnson deeply concerned.
The Speaker emphasized that he didn’t believe Biden was lying, but rather that the President “genuinely didn’t know what he had signed.”
Eventually, Biden seemed to recall the order, claiming it was merely to study the effects of the fuel exports.
This revelation comes in the wake of a December report exposing efforts by White House aides to conceal Biden’s mental decline since the beginning of his term. The report detailed how staffers had implemented plans to limit Biden’s in-person interactions and rearrange his schedules to manage his public appearances.
Johnson expressed his alarm after the meeting, stating, “I walked out of that meeting with fear and loathing because I thought, ‘We are in serious trouble—who is running the country?'” He added, “Like, I don’t know who put the paper in front of him, but he didn’t know.”
The incident adds to growing concerns about Biden’s cognitive abilities, which came to a head during a disastrous debate performance against now-President-elect Donald Trump.
Following that debate, Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who was subsequently defeated by Trump in November’s election.
Biden himself has hinted at his diminishing capacities, admitting in a USA Today interview that he wasn’t sure if he would have had the “vigor” for another term had he won re-election.
However, he did not clarify what this meant about his current mental state.
As the nation prepares for a transition of power, this revelation from Speaker Johnson underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the highest office of the land.
It raises questions about decision-making processes within the White House and the potential implications for national security and governance.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment on Johnson’s account of the meeting. As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced during the Biden administration and the need for robust leadership in the years to come.
