Over 60 House Republicans are demanding that President Joe Biden take a mental competency test or pull out of the 2024 election in a letter sent to the White House.
The letter includes signatures from 61 Republicans, led by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), who is also a former White House doctor. Jackson wrote that Republicans are concerned with Biden’s “current cognitive state and ability to serve another term as President.” The letter comes after Biden announced his reelection campaign on April 25.
“We believe that, regardless of gender, age, or political party, all Presidents should document and demonstrate sound mental abilities,” the Republicans wrote in the letter, according to Fox News.
“While you have undergone two physical exams during your presidency, one on November 19, 2021, and another on February 16, 2023, there is no indication you have had any cognitive assessment, or if you have, such results were concealed from the public,” the letter continued.
Biden had a physical examination in February with White House physician Kevin O’Connor. It determined that Biden was a “healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander in Chief.”
“However, this is a statement based on a physical exam that excluded the evaluation of your cognitive and mental abilities, which is where our concerns, and the concerns of the American public, lie,” the letter stated.
Jackson pointed to prior letters sent to the president since he took office: one in June 2021, another in February 2022, and one in July 2022.
“You have failed to respond to any of these letters and have actively ignored the requests of over 50 Members of Congress for you to submit to a cognitive exam,” Jackson wrote.
Jackson also mentioned several instances over the last two years in which Biden appeared to “shuffle your feet, trip when you walk, slur your words, forget names,” or lose his train of thought, which the Republicans said have become “more of common occurrence.”
The Texas Republican asked Biden to “renounce your bid for reelection” or submit to a “clinically validated cognitive screening assessment,” with the results able to be reviewed by the public.
“Failure of such a test will allow you to come to terms with the many failures of your administration over the past two years and allow a mentally fit leader to emerge,” Jackson wrote. “We encourage you to put the wants and needs of the American people above all else and make the decision that best serves our country.”
The age of politicians has become a recent subject of scrutiny, particularly after former South Carolina GOP Gov. Nikki Haley suggested that all politicians over 75 be required to take a mental competency test to remain in office.
Age is likely to play a factor in the 2024 election, although it could become a moot point should former President Donald Trump become the GOP’s nominee. He is 76, and Biden would be 86 at the end of his second term if he wins reelection.