Former Biden Spokesman Stonewalls on Joe’s Cognitive Decline [WATCH]

Former senior deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates avoided answering questions from reporters Friday regarding Joe Biden’s health and decision-making during his time in office.

The exchange occurred before Bates appeared for an interview with the House Oversight Committee.

Video aired on Fox News showed Bates remaining silent as journalists asked questions about Biden’s fitness for office and his role in running the White House.

“Did President Biden really run the White House?” one reporter asked.

Another followed by pressing Bates on his opening remarks, while others inquired, “What are you planning to tell the committee?” and “Are you concerned that anyone could be criminally charged?”

Biden’s health and cognitive decline have been documented in multiple books released since the 2024 presidential election.

In Original Sin, authored by CNN host Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, Biden was described as failing to recognize longtime supporter and Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney.

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Later, Bates released his prepared opening statement, in which he criticized the Oversight Committee for investigating Biden.

“I was proud to support Joe Biden as President because we believe in the same values,” Bates said in the statement, according to Fox News.

“In the White House, it was universally understood that Joe Biden was in charge.”

He also accused the committee of “spending taxpayer dollars investigating Joe Biden – an honorable man” while ignoring allegations against President Donald Trump.

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, speaking on Fox News’ “The Faulkner Focus,” said Bates’ comments did not address the core questions being raised.

“That’s a deflection from the issue at hand and I imagine a Biden loyalist is going to say loyal things about Biden,” Fleischer said.

He added, “I would ask how much time did you spend with Joe Biden? When was the last time you were in the Oval [Office] with Joe Biden?”

Fleischer noted that questions directed at Bates could also apply to current press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“I was in the Oval Office for a third, a quarter of my days in the president’s meetings, watching everything and hearing and seeing everything,” Fleischer explained.

“You just get the sense they kept everybody at a distance. Very few people really saw Joe Biden in action.”

The Wall Street Journal published several reports in 2024 documenting Biden’s declining mental acuity before he announced on July 21, 2024, that he would not seek reelection.

While multiple sources confirmed the reporting, the stories were disputed by Democrats and some media outlets.

On December 19, 2024, the Journal reported that Biden’s aides had “insulated” him, including from Cabinet members, as his health issues became more apparent.

Fleischer also said the Oversight Committee may ultimately need to ask Biden directly about pardons issued during his presidency.

“I would love to see somebody do an interview with Joe Biden where they actually quiz him and say, ‘Mr. President, did you yes or no, pardon Joe Schmo. Yes or no, or Jane Doe?’ Does he remember the pardons?” Fleischer said.

He continued, “I differ from President Trump on this. From a legal point of view, the autopen has been found to be valid, but it doesn’t make it right, especially if the president doesn’t even know what he did. The issue is Joe Biden’s competence. The issue is who was running the government or was everything put on autopen.”

The questioning of Bates comes as the Oversight Committee continues its review of Biden’s presidency, with particular focus on health, decision-making, and the use of presidential powers in the final months of his administration.

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