Wed. Nov 6th, 2024
alert-–-white-house-won’t-say-if-biden,-81,-would-personally-deal-with-a-nuclear-attack-after-8pmAlert – White House WON’T say if Biden, 81, would personally deal with a nuclear attack after 8pm

President Joe Biden’s fitness to lead will be under the microscope on Tuesday as he welcomes world leaders to Washington D.C. for the NATO summit.

The White House has desperately tried to brush off suggestions that allies are concerned about the 81-year-old’s mental and physical health after his car-crash debate performance against Donald Trump.

Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was peppered with questions about his health at her briefing on Tuesday and gave a startling response when asked if the president would personally deal with a nuclear attack after 8pm.

She insisted he has a ‘team’ to deal with such situations, even though the commander-in-chief has the sole authority to launch nuclear weapons. 

Follow all the updates in DailyMail.com’s U.S. politics blog from reporters in Washington D.C. and across the country.

19:09

Karine Jean-Pierre won't say if Biden would handle a late-night nuclear attack

U.S. President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden are seen during an Independence Day celebration in Washington, U.S., July 4, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

By Emily Goodin, senior U.S. political reporter at the White House

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn’t confirm if President Joe Biden would deal with a possible nuclear strike that takes place after 8 pm.

Fox News’ Peter Doocy referred to President Biden’s comments to governors he would schedule fewer events after 8 pm and asked, if there was a nuclear strike, who would deal with it? The first lady?

‘He has a team that lets him know, any, any news that is pertinent and important to the American people,’ Jean-Pierre said. ‘It is National Security Council that gets to tell him.’

Jean-Pierre also said Jill Biden does not make decisions.

‘The President is the President of the United States who makes the decision,’ she said.

The U.S. President has sole authority to authorize the use of U.S. nuclear weapon, according to American law.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 09: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a daily news briefing at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on July 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. During the briefing Jean-Pierre spoke on a range of topics including Hurricane Beryl in Houston and U.S. President Joe Biden's medical checkups. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Jean-Pierre also brushed aside a question about Hunter Biden joining the president at White House meetings. She noted the family together was at Camp David and, upon their return to the White House, Hunter merely walked straight into a meeting with the president.

‘He’s very close to his family. As you know, it was the week of Fourth of July, which is why his family members were here last week. They walked together and they walked together into the meeting,’ she said.

And she denied allegations the White House has been engaged in a coverup when it comes to the president’s health.

‘There is a comprehensive medical, full comprehensive medical report on the website whitehouse.gov. I would encourage them to take a look to take a look read read that report,’ she said. ‘It’s transparent. It’s out there, it’s for them to read.’

The White House is in week two of trying to recover from Biden’s disastrous debate performance.

17:31

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asked if there have been any cabinet discussions to invoke the 25th amendment on Biden

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testifies before a House Committee on Financial Services hearing entitled,

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended President Joe Biden and said he was extremely effective in meetings as she was grilled on whether she had witnessed evidence of mental decline.

The cabinet secretary also admitted she wasn’t aware of any discussions to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the 81-year-old president to remove him from office.

The provision enables the vice president and cabinet members to declare that the president is unable to discharge his duties.

She told the House Financial Services Committee:

The president is extremely effective in the meetings that I’ve been in with him.

That includes many international meetings that are multi-hour, like his meetings with (Chinese) President Xi (Jinping).

20:50

Democratic Rep. Andy Kim says he has 'concerns' with Biden at top of ticket

Democratic Congressman Andy Kim said he has ‘concerns’ about President Biden at the top of the ticket amid escalating questions about the president’s health.

Kim is the Democratic nominee in the New Jersey Senate race.

‘I do have concerns,’ Kim said according to a local report. ‘If [Biden’s team] want to rebut some of what people are concerned about, that’s on them.’

He said dismissing it would not be right.

‘People have concerns – I mean, this is the presidency of the United States. So I think it’s very important to be upfront and honest about where things are,’ he continued.

He added ‘the question is, can Biden win, and is there somebody that can potentially be stronger? That’s what I’m digging in on right now and trying to think through.’

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) talks to reporters following a caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on August 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. A member of the National Security Caucus, Kim said it is impossible to evacuate all American citizens and Afghan allies before President Joe Biden's August 31 deadline to get all U.S. military out of Afghanistan. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

20:43

Senator Mark Warner says most important thing is to defeat Donald Trump

Democratic Senator Mark Warner said on Tuesday that the most important thing is to defeat Donald Trump.

The Virginia Democrats comments on Capitol Hill come amid escalating questions over whether President Biden should be at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket.

Warner had reportedly been trying to get Democrats together to discuss a path forward after Biden’s disastrous debate performance.

After returning to the hill this week, Warner said he was having conversations with colleagues but did not go into details on what the best path forward is.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 8:  U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) departs the Capitol following a vote on July 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. Several Democratic members of Congress have urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race after his June 27 debate against presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump. Concerns about Biden's age and perceived slowing down have intensified, with critics fearing these issues could undermine his ability to effectively challenge Trump in the upcoming election. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

19:58

Former VP Mike Pence calls Republican 2024 platform a 'profound disappointment' for pro-life cause

Now is not the time to surrender any ground in the fight for the right to life. The 2024 platform removed historic pro-life principles that have long been the foundation of the platform.

I urge delegates attending next week’s Republican Convention to restore language to our party’s platform recognizing the sanctity of human life and affirming that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.

The platform states it ‘will oppose Late Term Abortion while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments).’

It’s a shift from the 2020 and 2016 platforms that ruled out abortion after 20 weeks.

19:47

Sisters road testing Kamala Harris as Biden replacement at Las Vegas rally

With Vice President Kamala Harris back in battleground Nevada, curious voters are taking her measure amid calls for President Biden to step back.

A pair of sisters who are there told DailyMail.com they were attending to assess Harris, who defended the president follwoing his debate disaster, as a possible Biden replacement.

18:52

Karine Jean-Pierre goes on the offensive

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2024. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

By Emily Goodin, senior U.S. political reporter at the White House

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre began her press briefing on Tuesday by defending herself.

Jean-Pierre pushed back at questions she has not been forthcoming about President Joe Biden’s health and that the White House has had to later clarify her statements.

‘I disagree. I disagree,’ she said in response to the question.

In her briefing, she was forceful with reporters who questioned her on past statements. Her strategy echoes that of President Biden, who has been on the offensive as Democrats have pushed him to exit the 2024 race.

Jean-Pierre argued many of her points from Monday were outlined in Dr. Kevin O’Connor’s letter on Dr. Kevin Cannard, the Parkison’s specialist who was at the White House at several points.

She also noted that when she hasn’t ‘had the full information. I actually own up to that.’

‘It has been an unprecedented time. I think you guys could admit,’ she argued. ‘And so we want to make sure that we get you all the information that we have, and when we don’t have it, we do try our best to provide that information.’

Jean-Pierre started Tuesday’s briefing about 90 minutes after it was originally scheduled. She said it was because she was in the Oval Office talking to President Biden about Hurricane Beryl.

18:48

Gretchen Whitmer, a top contender to replace Biden, is asked if she would serve as Kamala's VP

Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer leaves The View in a pink blazer, skirt and snakeskin pumps in New York City  Pictured: gretchen whitmer Ref: BLU_S7799374 090724 NON-EXCLUSIVE Picture by: Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com  Splash News and Pictures USA: 310-525-5808  UK: 020 8126 1009 eamteam@shutterstock.com  World Rights

Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a contender to replace President Joe Biden or one day lead the party, was asked on The View if she would consider serving as Kamala Harris’ vice president.

Whitmer was promoting her new book on the ABC panel show, and has shot down suggestions she will be running instead of Joe in November.

Then she was asked about her own future prospects, including running with Harris.

I have never looked at opportunities in Washington, D.C. with a lot of excitement. … I’ll never say never, but that’s not something that I am angling for.

18:11

White House delays press briefing

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI/Shutterstock (14577886e) White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answers questions about U.S. President Joe Biden's medical records during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC on Monday, July 8, 2024. White House Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre Holds a Press Briefing at the White House, Washington, District of Columbia, United States - 08 Jul 2024

By Emily Goodin, senior U.S. political reporter at the White House

The White House delayed Tuesday’s press briefing by more than hour after Monday’s debacle.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly clashed with reporters who were asking why Dr. Kevin Cannard, a Parkinson’s specialist, repeatedly visited the White House.

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Joe Biden’s personal physician, ended up releasing a letter late Monday to calm the storm of questions.

On Tuesday, Jean-Pierre’s briefing was originally scheduled to begin at 1 pm. The press office announced it was delayed until 1:45 pm.

As of 2:10 pm, it had not started and there was no update on timing.

17:35

Nikki Haley SNUBBED and not invited to Republican National Convention

Mandatory Credit: Photo by JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (14502816g) Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks on the 'dangers of national security weakness' at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, USA, 22 May 2024. It was her first public speech since she ceded the republican presidential nomination to Donald Trump in March 2024. Haley used the opportunity to say she plans to vote for Trump in the general election in November. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at Hudson Institute in DC, Washington, USA - 22 May 2024

Nikki Haley’s spokesperson revealed Tuesday that ex-President Donald Trump’s former 2024 rival was not invited to next week’s Republican National Convention.

Haley ‘was not invited, and she’s fine with that,’ her spokesperson Chaney Denton told Politico. ‘Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.’

The news site first reported that Haley released her pledged delegates to Trump ahead of the RNC and pushed them to vote for the former president.

17:20

VP Kamala Harris launches AANHPI campaign group in Las Vegas

By Katelyn Caralle, Senior U.S. Political Reporter in Las Vegas, Nevada

Vice President Kamala Harris is launching in Las Vegas on Tuesday the group Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders for Biden-Harris.

The kickoff event comes with Harris' increased campaign trail appearances this week amid calls for President Joe Biden to step aside in 2024.

After the events on Tuesday, the vice president will also give keynote remarks at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall this weekend in Philaelphia, Pennsylvania.

17:02

Inside the Democrats' meeting on Biden dropping out that 'felt like a funeral': Glum members of ailing 81-year-old's party meet for crisis talks… and STILL can't decide on his future

House Democrats emerged from a critical private meeting on Joe Biden’s future sullen, scrambled and downcast – as though they just got out of a funeral procession.

The summer heat beat down on dejected Democrats as they exited a secretive closed-door meeting where it appears there was no agreement made about Biden’s future at the top of the 2024 ticket.

Not a single Democrat who emerged from the hour-long session indicated that there was consensus on whether Biden, 81, has the full backing of the caucus at his age over a week since his disastrous debate.

One lawmaker admitted to DailyMail.com there were major disagreements inside at the meeting over whether Biden has the health and wherewithal to secure the nomination.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., emerged saying that not only are Democrats not on the same page, ‘we are not even in the same book.’

16:53

Senate Democrats express concerns but avoid turning on President Joe Biden so far

Some Senate Democrats have expressed concerns and have called on Biden to prove he’s up for another four years.

Others have said there is a need for discussions among Democrats this week as Biden facing mounting questions over his fitness since his poor debate performance.

But no Sneate Democrats to date have outright called for Biden to step aside in the 2024 race.

Here is what they are saying:

16:37

Top Florida Democrat says media needs to 'start moving on' from stories about Biden's fitness to lead

Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent in Doral, Florida

The chair of Florida’s Democratic Party, Nikki Fried, suggested Tuesday that it was time to stop questioning whether 81-year-old President Joe Biden was fit to lead.

‘The reality is that President Biden isn’t going anywhere. We are standing behind the president and the vice president. And so it is time for the media to start moving on as well,’ she told DailyMail.com at a press conference in Doral, Florida.

Former President Donald Trump will headline a rally at his Doral golf club Tuesday night after spending 10 days off the campaign trail.

Fried said the press needed to ‘start talking about the existential threat that would happen if Donald Trump gets a second term.’

Florida Democrats were gathered in Doral Tuesday morning to highlight aspects of the Project 2025 agenda – a product of the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation that Trump has been forced to distance himself from.

But all eyes have been on Biden since he bungled the presidential debate late last month.

Fried voiced her frustrations with that, saying, ‘we were here talking about Project 2025 and the first two questions were about President Biden’s stamina.’

‘This man has done more for this country than anybody else in the current history,’ Fried said.

16:29

Close links between Joe Biden's physician and the first family called into question by Republicans who insist president receives glowing health bill and NEVER a cognitive test

Republicans are intent on hauling in President Biden’s doctor who is now caught up in the scandal over his mental decline.

‘The only people in Washington, D.C. — other than Donald Trump — who want Joe Biden to stay in the race are the Biden family and his physician,’ Oversight Chairman James Comer said Tuesday.

‘What do they have in common? They were involved in the Biden influence peddling scheme.’

Dr. Kevin O’Connor is a close friend of the Biden family and was involved in his brother James’ business ventures with now-defunct Americore Health. House Republicans have asked him to come in to testify – and may resort to a subpoena.

16:20

Former Republican Senator Jim Inhofe dead at age 89 after serving on Capitol Hill for 36 years

Former Republican Senator Jim Inhofe has died at the age of 89.

The longtime lawmaker represented Oklahoma for 36 years on Capitol Hill before stepping aside last year as the longest-serving U.S. Senator in his state’s history.

His family said he passed away after a ‘sudden illness’ and was surrounded by his wife Kay and three children.

16:05

James Carville advises Democrats to hold town halls hosted by Clinton and Obama to find a candidate after predicting Biden will drop out

Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville is getting behind a version of a ‘mini-primary’ that could pick a successor to President Joe Biden without ‘anointing’ Kamala Harris in his place.

Carville, who served as Bill Clinton’s campaign guru during his 1992 run, put his own spin on a way for Democrats to get out of the political thicket they find themselves after Biden’s stumbling debate performance during an appearance on NewsNation’s Cuomo.

Large majorities of Democrats are registering concerns about his age and performance, but as Biden pointed out in a Monday letter, he has already wrapped up the nomination by winning millions of primary votes.

15:57

Hunter Biden withdraws his motion for a new gun trial as he awaits sentencing

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: President Joe Biden talks to his son, Hunter Biden, following the fireworks on the National Mall with First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff from the White House balcony during a 4th of July event on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2024 in Washington, DC. The President is hosting the Independence Day event for members of the military and their families. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Hunter Biden withdrew his motion for a new federal gun trial after he was found guilty of lying about his drug addiction when he bought a revolver.

Lawyers for the president’s scandal-hit son, 54, said he was dropping his plea in a court filing on Tuesday.

They claimed that Judge Maryellen Noreika didn’t have jurisdiction over the trial because of pending appeals.

He now awaits his sentencing and could get up to 25 years in prison.

15:56

New poll shows close race between Trump and Biden and how other Democrats fared against the ex-president

A new Emerson College poll shows a close race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden despite pressure from some Democrats for Biden to drop out amid questions over his fitness to serve a second term.

The poll has Trump leading Biden 46 percent to 43 percent with 11 percent undecided. But when undecided voters were asked who the leaned toward, the race was split 50 percent to 50 percent.

When third party candidate were included, the race was 44 percent Trump, 40 percent Biden and six percent Robert Kennedy Jr.

The poll also looked at a series of other prominent Democrats including Vice President Kamala Harris in matchups against Trump.

In a hypothetical matchup, Trump had 49 percent, Harris was at 43 percent with 8 percent undecided.

In a race against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Trump was at 48 percent with Newsom at 40 percent and 12 percent were undecided.

Of the nine total hypothetical matchups they polled, none of the Democrats beat Trump.

14:39

Inside the bleak Democrat meeting about Biden

From U.S. Politics Reports Jon Michael Rassch on Capitol Hill

Democrats have emerged from their closed-door meeting looking beleaguered.

Biden supporters are not loud and proclaiming victory. Most lawmakers are simply saying they support ‘Democrats’ and on occasion that they specifically support Biden.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal just left with a similar shrugging non-answer.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the speaker emerita, left, arrives at the Democratic National Headquarters with other Democratic members of the House of Representatives to discuss the future of President Biden running for the presidency, Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., arrives at the Democratic National Headquarters with other Democratic members of the House of Representatives to discuss the future of President Biden running for the presidency, Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

14:10

Melania Trump stuns in red as she raises $1.4million at lavish Manhattan fundraiser

Melania Trump dazzled in a fire-engine red Valentino dress on Monday night when she hosted a political fundraiser in New York while Donald Trump continues to lay low after his debate with Joe Biden.

The former first lady stunned in the red sheath dress and red patent leather So Kate Christian Louboutin pumps, as seen in exclusive photos from Dailymail.com.

It was a rare appearance by Melania, coming as she hosted an intimate group at Trump Tower to raise money for the Log Cabin Republicans, the largest conservative LGBTQ+ organization.

13:55

Democrats 'not even in the same book' – let alone same page – about Biden as chaos rips through the party

13:26

Former diplomat: Biden needs to show he's 'with it' at NATO

President Joe Biden’s ability to lead and physical and mental fitness will be tested this week as he welcomes world leaders to the NATO summit in Washington D.C.

Former NATO Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller told CNBC the stakes are high for the embattled 81-year-old facing calls to drop out of the presidential race.

She said he needs to prove himself to world leaders, some of whom are reportedly concerned about his cognitive decline.

I think this NATO summit in Washington is an important moment for Joe Biden, he really has to show that he is with it, he’s ready to continue to lead not only the United States of America but the NATO alliance.

And so we will see in coming days just how well the U.S. president does.

I think it is an extraordinarily important summit for the NATO alliance; I wouldn’t say it is a make or break.

NATO has had many ups and downs over the years and some severe crises to deal with … it’s a difficult moment for NATO, but NATO has weathered a lot of crises before.

13:12

Senior Democrat flips flops and now says he supports Biden – after calling on him to step down

12:34

Jon Stewart unleashes expletive-laden tirade against Joe Biden and the Democrats blasting 'blatant bull****' excuses about jetlag and a cold for his bumbling TV debate performance

Comedian Jon Stewart took to his Daily Show platform on Monday night to slam the Democratic Party’s downplaying of Biden’s abysmal showing in his showdown debate with Donald Trump in June.

‘For a campaign based on honesty and decency, the spin about the debate appears to be blatant bulls**t, and the redemption tour hasn’t gone that much better,’ Stewart began.

‘We’re told that the threat of Trump is so great and the stakes are so high that even bringing up these absolutely legitimate concerns about the president’s ability to do the most vigorous job in the world for the next four years is enabling fascism.’

Stewart said that the concerns about another Trump administration ‘aren’t the only threats our democracy faces,’ going on to say that another threat is Biden’s campaign being unable to deal with the concerns of voters about the president.

The host described an ‘arthritic status quo’ that ‘erodes confidence and faith in the system of government borders.’

12:04

Karine Jean-Pierre admits Biden has seen a neurologist three times but refuses to say why Parkinson's expert visited the White House in chaotic press briefing

The White House on Monday said that President Joe Biden was not being treated for Parkinson’s disease during a bad-tempered press briefing when officials were accused of hiding his medical details.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at times struggled to be heard amid a cacophony of questions about the 81-year-old president’s health.

She confirmed he had been examined three times by a neurologist but refused to say why a specialist in Parkinson's disease visited the White House eight times in eight months, citing privacy and security concerns.

But that simply triggered a hubbub from the usually docile front row of reporters who peppered her with demands for a proper explanation.

‘Ed, a little respect please,’ said Jean-Pierre to CBS News senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe, who wanted to know why she was not prepared to discuss details of Dr. Kevin Cannard’s visits, when they were already a matter of public record, revealed by visitor logs.

12:00

Joe Biden's personal physician breaks from protocol to reveal why top neurologist and Parkinson's specialist visited the White House eight times in eight months amid fears for 81-year-old president's health

The White House is now doing damage control following reports Joe Biden’s personal physician met with a top neurologist and Parkinson's specialist at the White House.

Biden’s personal doctor, Kevin O’Connor, broke protocol Monday, releasing a letter explaining why Dr. Kevin Cannard visited the White House eight times in eight months.

The letter came after a frenzied day of speculation over Biden’s ailing health, which has been in question since his disastrous first debate with Donald Trump, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre adding fuel Monday by saying the president has seen a neurologist three times.

Cannard is a movement disorder specialist at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

On Monday, O’Connor released a letter with the permission of both Biden and Cannard and confirmed that Cannard had been the neurologist who evaluated the president at each of his three physicals since he took office.

11:57

AOC breaks her silence on whether she backs Biden as Democrats melt down after rocky debate fallout

Progressive Squad leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez broke her silence on whether Joe Biden should run again in 2024.

After Biden’s disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27,  questions have swirled over the 81-year-old’s physical and mental health – and whether he should withdraw from the race.

So far, only a small cohort of Democrat lawmakers have called on the president to withdraw from the race while many more have thrown their support behind Biden.

The Squad leader confirmed Monday she is on board with the president’s leadership.

‘I have spoken with [Biden] extensively,’ AOC revealed. ‘The matter is closed. Joe Biden is our nominee.’

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