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5h ago

Zients Tells House Investigators Biden’s Decision-Making Slowed as Oversight Probe Concludes Interviews

The closed-door session ended the committee’s witness phase ahead of a final report on autopen practices.

FILE - White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients speaks during a press briefing at the White House, April 13, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
FILE - Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Build America Investment Initiative roundtable, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. From left are, then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Biden, then-National Economic Council Director Jeff Zients, and then-Senior Policy Adviser at the National Economic Jake Broder-Fingert. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
FILE - Secretary of State Antony Blinken, front, and Jeff Zients, White House coronavirus response coordinator, right, listen as President Joe Biden speaks about his administration's global COVID-19 vaccination efforts ahead of the G-7 summit, Thursday, June 10, 2021, in St. Ives, England. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
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Overview

  • In a transcribed interview, Jeff Zients said President Biden’s decision-making slowed during his term and his difficulty recalling names and dates worsened.
  • Zients testified he urged White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor to conduct a full medical workup, including a cognitive exam, after the June 2024 debate, and O’Connor said he would take the suggestion under advisement.
  • He recounted that meetings began to require more sessions and that he thought Biden should leave the race, with some senior aides and cabinet members privately expressing concerns about reelection viability.
  • Zients said Hunter Biden attended a few late-term discussions about pardons, and reporting indicates Zients approved autopen use for certain pardons on Jan. 19 after Biden’s sign-off.
  • House investigators say internal emails reflect Justice Department confusion over clemency language and autopen administration, and the panel plans to compile a final report in the coming weeks.