Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz has claimed the Democrats planned to elect President Joe Biden to the White House because he is “too weak” to stand in the way of their progressive agenda.
In a recent letter, led by California Representative Jimmy Panetta, more than 20 House Democrats urged Biden to relinquish his sole authority to release nuclear weapons. They argued that allowing a single person to start nuclear war “carries real risks” and called for structural reform.
Gaetz opposed their position in a Wednesday night appearance on Fox News’ Hannity.
“I am against this letter because I believe that no matter who the president is, they should be empowered to be commander in chief, to take care of the country, even if it is Joe Biden at the time,” he said. .
The Florida Republican, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, also accused Biden of lacking the mental capacity to run the country and said the Democrats knowingly elected him for that reason.
“Sleepy Joe” was not just a political nickname, it appears to be a government strategy for the Biden administration, “he said. You look at a growing number of Democrats who are now concerned about giving Joe Biden the codes for the nuclear system. I’d be concerned if I gave Joe Biden the code for my garage door opener. ”
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Trump coined a series of derogatory nicknames for his rivals during his presidential campaigns and four years in office. The ex-president usually referred to Biden as ‘Sleepy Joe’ to support his campaign’s attacks on the Democrat’s mental fitness. He also occasionally used “Joe Hidin ‘” to emphasize his claim that Biden had been hiding in his basement during the 2020 campaign.
Gaetz called the Democratic letter seeking to expand accountability for nuclear attacks “all part of their plan.”
“ With a Joe Biden too weak to resist their attempts to decentralize power, take over the economy, restrict people’s rights, push the boundaries of executive action beyond what is constitutionally allowed , they can do these things because Joe Biden is unable to make decisions day after day, ”he said.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Panetta’s office for comment.
The House letter urging Biden to diversify nuclear weapons authority did not mention his mental capacity.
“Former presidents have threatened to attack other countries with nuclear weapons or engaged in behavior that has caused other officials to express concern about the president’s judgment,” the letter said.
It added, “While any president would presumably consult advisers before ordering a nuclear strike, there is no requirement to do so. The military is required to carry out the order if they deem it legal under the laws of America. the war. attitude of the US nuclear forces, that attack would take place in minutes. “
In December, Dr. Kevin O’Connor of George Washington University provided a medical summary on Biden, calling the then president-elect a “ healthy, strong, 77-year-old man, fit for the duties of the Presidency, including those as Chief Executive. Head of State and Commander in Chief. “
Despite his comments, 33 percent of Americans in a recent Insider poll said they were unhappy with Biden’s mental fitness.