GOP Senators to Hold Hearing on Alleged Cover-Up of Biden’s Cognitive Decline
May 31, 2025 – Senate Republicans, led by Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), have scheduled a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for June 18, 2025, to investigate what they describe as a “cover-up” of former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline during his presidency. The probe aims to examine who was effectively managing executive decisions, alleging that Biden’s aides, family, and media obscured his mental fitness, creating a “constitutional crisis.”
The announcement follows heightened scrutiny of Biden’s health, particularly after a May 18, 2024, report from his representatives disclosed a diagnosis of late-stage aggressive prostate cancer. GOP lawmakers, including House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), have questioned Biden’s use of an autopen for signing documents, suggesting it indicates limited involvement in decision-making. Comer has expressed openness to calling Biden, former First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, or former White House chief of staff Ron Klain to testify, with Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, also under scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting Biden’s health.
The focus on Biden’s cognitive abilities echoes concerns raised during his 2024 campaign, intensified by his debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, where he appeared to lose his train of thought. Veteran journalist Carl Bernstein reported that close allies observed “15 to 20 occasions” of cognitive decline in the past 18 months. A 2024 special counsel report by Robert Hur described Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” noting memory lapses during interviews about classified documents. However, Biden’s team has denied these claims, asserting he was an effective president with no evidence of compromised national security.
Cornyn has urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate potential violations of federal law regarding representations of Biden’s health, emphasizing the need for transparency to prevent future issues. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has called for Jill Biden to testify, alleging her complicity in shielding Biden’s condition. In the House, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) is pushing for a select committee to probe similar concerns.
Public sentiment on X is divided. Some users, like @Will_USA_1st, dismiss the hearing as a pointless “gotcha” moment, while others, such as @Ohnjaye4, argue it distracts from perceived cognitive issues with President Trump. Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have largely avoided commenting directly, focusing instead on future policy.
Critics of the probe, including Biden’s spokespeople, argue it lacks evidence of a conspiracy and point to his administration’s accomplishments. Medical experts, like Professor Nicolas Cherbuin from the Australian National University, note that while Biden showed observable changes in health, a formal diagnosis of cognitive impairment requires clinical assessment, cautioning against speculation.
The hearing, the first of its kind by a full congressional committee, is still finalizing witnesses. It reflects broader Republican efforts to scrutinize the Biden administration, even as Trump’s team dismantles some of Biden’s executive orders. For ongoing developments, check NPR’s State of the World or visit abcnews.go.com.
