Members of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet are doubling down on their support for him amidst calls for them to invoke the 25th Amendment, which would remove him from office.
This confirmed support comes while Biden continues to face pressure over his health and mental state along with his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, which sparked increasing concern from legislators questioning his ability to serve out the remainder of his term if he’s unable to seek re-election.
“Secretary Yellen disagrees with those calls,” said a spokesperson for Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen Tuesday, while additionally pointing to recent comments she made during a hearing in the House during which she refused to comment in detail on her private meetings with the president.
“The president is extremely effective in the meetings that I’ve been in with him. That includes many international meetings that are multihour,” said Yellen at the time.
Representatives for Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra also said their bosses disagreed with the calls for Joe Biden to be removed from office or step down.
A spokesperson for Granholm pointed to comments the secretary made last month that disputed a report that the president was mentally “slipping.”
“The president is utterly on his game,” said Granholm then. “He is the wisest, most knowledgeable person in the room. He asks the toughest questions and has the keenest insights on the complex questions brought to him. He is sharp, thoughtful, and wise.”
A spokesperson for Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, pointed to comments the secretary made this month that defended Biden’s ability to perform the president’s job.
“You’re d—n right he’s capable,” said Vilsack to agriculture-focused news site Agri-Pulse.
President Biden suspended his re-election campaign and endorsed VP Harris
On Sunday, Joe Biden announced he would suspend his re-election campaign and endorse Vice President Harris for the Democratic nomination. After facing several weeks of pressure from inside his own party to withdraw from the race, Biden had no choice but to endorse Harris.
Pressure mounted following his dismal performance at the first presidential debate in June, where he spoke with a raspy voice and frequently jumbled his words.
On Tuesday morning, Harris’ office said she believes the president can serve.
“As the vice president has said many times before, the nation is lucky to have President Biden leading our nation,” said press secretary to the vice president, Ernesto Apreza.:00/11:36
