Background on Joe Biden and the Investigation
Joe Biden, currently serving as the President of the United States, was previously Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. After a long and successful political career, Biden, now 81 years old, ran for president in the 2020 election and defeated incumbent Donald Trump. His victory marked a significant moment in American politics, as he became the oldest person ever inaugurated as President.
Trump’s Campaign to Discredit Biden
Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has been vocal about questioning Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities and overall health. This campaign to discredit his predecessor has been supported by Republican politicians and conservative media outlets. They cite Biden’s limited public appearances and reluctance to give interviews as evidence of his inability to handle the demanding role of President.
Allegations of a Cover-up
Trump and his allies have accused those around Biden of concealing his physical and cognitive decline, making decisions on his behalf, and using a signature-generating device to enable them to govern in his name. This alleged cover-up is described as “one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in U.S. history” by a presidential memorandum.
Details of the Investigation
On Wednesday, President Trump ordered an investigation led by the White House Counsel, in consultation with the Attorney General and relevant executive department or agency heads. The investigation aims to determine:
- Whether certain individuals conspired to deceive the public about Biden’s mental state
- If they exercised presidential powers and responsibilities unconstitutionally
- Examine the circumstances surrounding Biden’s alleged execution of numerous executive actions during his last years in office, including policy documents signed by an automatic signature machine
- Identify who ordered the President’s signature to be applied to these documents
Context and Impact
The investigation comes after Biden’s poor performance in the 2020 presidential debate against Trump, which fueled concerns about his health and mental acuity. Despite these concerns, Biden went on to win the election and assume the presidency. The ongoing efforts by Trump to question Biden’s capabilities have raised questions about political polarization and the legitimacy of democratic processes.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the investigation about? The investigation aims to uncover whether there was a conspiracy to hide Joe Biden’s declining health and cognitive abilities while he served as Vice President and if those around him misused presidential powers.
- Who is leading the investigation? The White House Counsel, in collaboration with the Attorney General and relevant executive department or agency heads, is conducting the investigation.
- What specific aspects will be examined? The investigation will look into Biden’s public appearances, decision-making processes, and the use of a signature-generating device during his time in office.
- Why is this investigation significant? This investigation reflects the ongoing political tensions between former President Trump and current President Biden, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability in government.
