By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American public, NATO allies and U.S. adversaries from across the globe were watching closely during President Joe Biden’s speech to mark the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
This week, questions surrounding the 81-year-old President’s cognitive health continue to intensify. It’s been the talk of the town in Washington, D.C. following the President’s dismal debate performance as well as recent reports of a Parkinson’s specialist visiting the White House on multiple occasions in the past year.
House Democrats, who met Tuesday morning to discuss the matter, are divided when it comes to supporting Biden in his reelection bid. There are at least ten House Democrats who have publicly or privately expressed Biden should step aside. House Democratic leaders are optimistic the conference will unite together in order to achieve their goal of defeating Donald Trump in November.
“What House Democratic Caucus leadership is asking our members to do, is to talk about the importance of preventing Donald Trump from ever setting foot in the White House. I don’t want Donald Trump on the public tour of the White House,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D- CA), the House Democratic Conference Chair. “The President knows that he did not have a good debate performance. He knows that he has to be out there in people’s districts, out in the communities, out in these tough states. He knows that. And that’s what we’ll see in the in the days and weeks ahead,” Aguilar added.
Many Democratic senators, especially those in close contests this November, are staying relatively quiet. Others, including Senate leaders, are standing firm with Biden.
“As I’ve said before, I’m with Joe,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY).
Biden delivered the Tuesday evening to mark the 75th anniversary of NATO from the Mellon Auditorium, where the North Atlantic Treaty was signed in 1949. The speech was scripted and read from a teleprompter and delivered with little to no hiccups or stumbles.
“Ukraine can and will stop Putin,” said Biden, who also announced plans to supply new air defenses to Ukraine during the speech. “Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail.”
At the end of the speech, the 81-year-old President awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
President Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks during a news conference Thursday where he is expected to face questions about his age and cognitive health.
