Politics

Dozens of Republicans again call for Joe Biden to take cognitive test

Dozens of Republican lawmakers are once again calling for President Biden to take a cognitive test, urging him to “follow the example set by former President Trump.” 

The 38 Republicans, led by Trump’s former White House doctor, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Md.), sent a letter to the president on Tuesday “express[ing] concern with your current cognitive state” and asking the 79-year-old to take the test.

“We believe that, regardless of gender, age, or political party, all Presidents should follow the example set by former President [Donald] Trump to document and demonstrate sound mental abilities,” they wrote.

“While you underwent your annual physical exam on November 19, 2021, you either did not have a cognitive test or those results were withheld from the public. White House Physician Kevin O’Connor, D.O., attested to you being ‘fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency’ in a purely physical manner; however, we are worried about your cognitive and mental abilities.”

Rep. Ronny Jackson said the cognitive test reassures Americans that President Biden is fit for office. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

The lawmakers pointed to a similar request sent to the White House last June.

“The American people should have absolute confidence in their President,” the letter read in part.

“They deserve to know that he or she can perform the duties of Head of State and Commander in Chief. They deserve full transparency on the mental capabilities of their highest elected leader.”

President Biden underwent a physical examination and colonoscopy in November. EPA/Yuri Gripas / POOL

The Republicans’ recent letter cited several instances of what they categorized as “mental decline,” including when Biden recently called Fox News reporter Peter Doocy a “stupid son of a b—h” and when he forgot the names of states on the campaign trail. 

“This is not just a recent trend, as your mental decline and forgetfulness have become more apparent over the past two years,” they wrote.

“This is not an unprecedented request. Starting in 2018, political opponents and members of the media clamored for your predecessor, then-President Trump, to take a cognitive test. In response, the White House Physician conducted a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) for President Trump, at which he excelled,” the letter reads. 

Republicans urged President Biden to “follow the example set by former President Trump.”  Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

The GOP lawmakers also noted that the president’s mental health is “not a partisan issue,” pointing to previous comments from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) that “it’s not hard to think that there will be future situations where the President’s physical and mental state may create issues for us.” 

“We agree with these statements. As such, we encourage you to follow the example set by President Trump, by undergoing a cognitive test as soon as possible and immediately making the results available for the American people,” they concluded. 

In an email to Fox News Digital, Jackson said the cognitive test will reassure Americans that Biden is fit for office or will help “in identifying and properly treating symptoms of impairment that are consistent with a variety of cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis.” 

The GOP lawmakers noted that President Biden’s mental health is “not a partisan issue.” EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

Jackson went on to claim, “We can only assume the worst if he doesn’t submit to the same standard that his own party demanded of the last Administration.” 

In November, the president underwent a physical examination and colonoscopy. At the time, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, said Biden is “fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.” O’Connor did not specify whether the president underwent a cognitive exam. 

The Republican request comes at the start of Biden’s second year in office. His first year was marred by plummeting poll numbers, as many Americans appeared to lose confidence in his performance as president as the administration attempted to grapple with crisis after crisis. 

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Dozens of Republican lawmakers are once again calling for President Biden to take a cognitive test, urging him to “follow the example set by former President Trump.”
Former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson led 38 Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden on Tuesday.
Dozens of Republican lawmakers are once again calling for President Biden to take a cognitive test, urging him to “follow the example set by former President Trump.”
Former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson led 38 Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden on Tuesday.
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Dozens of Republican lawmakers are once again calling for President Biden to take a cognitive test, urging him to “follow the example set by former President Trump.”
Former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson led 38 Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden on Tuesday.
Dozens of Republican lawmakers are once again calling for President Biden to take a cognitive test, urging him to “follow the example set by former President Trump.”
Former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson led 38 Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden on Tuesday.
Dozens of Republican lawmakers are once again calling for President Biden to take a cognitive test, urging him to “follow the example set by former President Trump.”
Former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson led 38 Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden on Tuesday.
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In November,Politico/Morning Consult poll published Wednesday found that 50 percent of registered voters disagreed with the statement “Joe Biden is in good health,” while 40 percent agreed and 10 percent did not know or had no opinion.

The White House has repeatedly defended Biden and his health. He remains the oldest person to serve as president. 

During his first press conference of the year last month, Biden shrugged off concerns about his health and mental wellbeing, telling reporters he had “no idea” why Americans would have such concerns. 

The White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.