Andrew Bates Responds to Questions About Biden’s Health

On Friday, former Senior Deputy White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates avoided directly answering a Fox News reporter’s inquiries regarding former President Joe Biden’s health.

Concerns about Biden’s health and cognitive abilities during his time in office have been discussed in a recently released book, “The Original Singh,” authored by CNN host Jake Tupper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson. The book also mentions figures like Academy Award winner George Clooney and Biden’s long-term supporters. During a segment, Fox News host Harris Faulkner shared footage of Bates, who appeared to maintain a stoic expression and refrained from responding to questions before a session with the House Oversight Committee.

When a reporter asked, “Did President Biden really run the White House?” another followed up with whether Bates had any comments to make. A different question raised concerns about potential criminal charges against Bates.

Bates later provided his opening remarks, stating, “We denounced the Oversight Board for using taxpayer money to investigate Joe Biden.”

“We were proud to support Joe Biden as president because we share the same values,” Bates continued. He asserted that there was a general consensus about Biden being in command at the White House.

Former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer commented on Bates’ remarks, suggesting they were a diversion from pressing issues. He wondered how much time Bates spent with Biden and questioned when Bates last visited the Oval Office with him.

Fleischer indicated that Bates’ responses could hold significance for the investigation, implying similar inquiries should be directed at White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“I spent time in the Oval Office, observing everything closely, and few have really seen how Joe Biden operates,” Fleischer added.

The Wall Street Journal had published articles discussing Biden’s mental decline and implications for his re-election plans before the official announcement on July 21, 2024. Although various outlets reviewed the reporting, there was backlash from other media and Democratic sources. By December 19, 2024, it was reported that White House staff were “insulating” Biden from even his own cabinet as his health continued to falter.

Fleischer suggested that the House Oversight Committee might need to question Biden directly about certain actions. He expressed interest in having someone interview Biden, asking him straightforward questions about his decisions, particularly regarding pardons. “It’s essential to know whether the president is fully aware of his actions,” Fleischer remarked, hinting at concerns about Biden’s ability to manage the office effectively.