Prominent figures in the media and a Cornell University law professor have expressed concern about President Biden's performance, suggesting that he may need to step aside.
President Joe Biden's performance during the first presidential debate Thursday night has sparked fresh concerns about his fitness to hold office. Several prominent figures in the media have joined a Cornell University law professor in calling for Biden to step aside.
CNN's Jake Tapper described Biden's performance as "not good," while MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski said he looked "tired" and "jumpy." ABC's "The View" co-host Joy Behar echoed these sentiments, saying that Biden "didn't look like he wanted to be there."
Biden's Performance Raises Concerns, Calls for Stepping Aside
Professor William Jacobson of Cornell University's law school went even further, calling on Biden's Cabinet to invoke the Constitution's 25th Amendment to remove him from office. Jacobson argued that Biden's "cognitive decline" is a "national security threat."
"This debate displayed Biden's severely declined cognitive ability for all the world to see for an hour and a half," Jacobson wrote in an article for Legalinsurrection.com. "The media cannot claim the live video feed ... was a manipulated 'cheap fake.'"
Biden's Performance Raises Concerns, Calls for Stepping Aside
Jacobson stated that while Democrats may be focused on whether Biden can defeat former President Donald Trump in the election, "no honest person who watched last night's debate can think that Biden mentally is up to the job of being President."
He pointed out that Biden's "cognitive decline is a national security threat of the highest order," adding that potential adversaries, such as China, Iran, and Russia, could exploit his diminished capacities.
Biden's Performance Raises Concerns, Calls for Stepping Aside
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) echoed these concerns, saying Friday that "there's a lot of people asking about the 25th Amendment ... because this is an alarming situation."
"Our adversaries see the weakness in this White House as we all do," Johnson said. "I take no pleasure in saying that. I think this is a very dangerous situation."
Biden's Performance Raises Concerns, Calls for Stepping Aside
The 25th Amendment allows for the vice president to assume the presidency if the president is declared unfit for office by the vice president and a majority of the president's Cabinet or Congress.
Jacobson argued that Democrats "should act before it's too late."
Biden's debate performance has also raised concerns among his supporters. Several Democratic lawmakers and pundits have expressed worries about his ability to win re-election and have called for him to drop out of the race.
However, Biden has remained defiant, stating that he is "not going to step aside." He has also received support from some prominent Democrats, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
The debate over Biden's fitness to serve as president is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months, especially as the election draws near.
