Former President Joe Biden recently made headlines after delivering a speech at a Human Resources convention, where he appeared to speak as if he were still in office. During his remarks, Biden claimed that he’s been spending his retirement “negotiating with world leaders” and continuing talks with both Democrats and Republicans. This surprising statement left many questioning whether he truly believes he still has the same influence he had while serving as President.
Biden said, “How can I walk away? You don’t see me publicly, but they ask to see me, and I see them.” This raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, as critics were quick to doubt that any world leader would be reaching out to a retired president for advice on current global issues.
Fox News commentator Kayleigh McEnany joked that perhaps these world leaders are just calling Biden because they can’t sleep and need someone to talk to. She also mocked Biden’s plan to release a 500-page memoir by March, saying it might debut at the bottom of the bestseller list. Some speculate that the memoir could finally shed light on who was really in charge during Biden’s presidency, with one former DNC staffer even suggesting that Biden was just a puppet.
As Republicans ramp up investigations into Biden’s presidency, several former Biden officials are set to testify in front of Congress. One of the key witnesses is Biden’s longtime physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who consistently insisted that Biden was mentally and physically fit during his time in office.
Commentator Joey Jones questioned whether it’s even believable that world leaders would reach out to Biden for guidance. “I don’t see it,” he said. “I could maybe see them saying they preferred Biden over Trump, but not asking him for advice.” He added that Biden, as a retired president who may not be in the best health, might just be trying to stay relevant and protect his legacy.
Jones pointed out that most former presidents go on speaking tours and tell their version of history, which might not always match reality. But he also warned that Biden trying to negotiate with foreign leaders now—behind the back of the sitting president—could be inappropriate and even dangerous if not properly disclosed.
A recent post by Vice President Kamala Harris also added fuel to the fire. For Independence Day, she shared a cropped photo of her and her husband, removing the Bidens from the original picture. This move didn’t go unnoticed. Some say it’s a sign that top Democrats are quietly distancing themselves from Biden. It seems many in the party want to move forward with a new candidate for 2024, even if it means pushing out a sitting president without a single vote from the public.
There are growing calls for accountability regarding who was truly leading the country during Biden’s presidency. Was it Joe Biden, or was it an unelected group of advisors and staffers pulling the strings behind the scenes? Some conservatives believe it was more of a “shadow government,” and that the American people deserve answers.
Congressman James Comer, who is helping lead the Republican investigation, said he believes many of Biden’s former staff will try to avoid testifying by claiming executive privilege. However, he made it clear they won’t get away with it. “They don’t have that privilege anymore. Trump waived it. They’ll have to answer questions or be held in contempt of Congress,” he said.
Two big names on the witness list include former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Dr. Kevin O’Connor. Republicans believe these individuals played key roles in covering up Biden’s declining mental state and propping up the image that he was fit to serve.
In response, some Democrats argue that it’s time to stop rehashing the past and move forward. They say President Trump is the one now running for office and leading the charge, so investigations into Biden’s time should be put to rest.
But others insist the investigation matters. They argue that even if Biden was only checked out for a portion of his term, the public deserves to know the truth about who was actually running the country—and whether democracy was compromised.
In the end, Biden’s comments about world leaders calling him may have just been a throwaway line. But for critics, it only adds to the growing list of questions surrounding his presidency—and whether he ever really had full control.