Testimony from Former Biden Counselor Raises Questions

Steve Richetti, who previously served as a counselor to President Joe Biden, reportedly minimized worries regarding Biden’s mental health during his testimony to the House Oversight Committee. This came after Richetti faced a lawsuit from former staff member Chief Ron Crane, who spent hours responding to questions from the committee last week.

A source familiar with the matter indicated that Richetti seemed “tense and defensive” during a transcribed interview, often veering off while attempting to answer questions posed by his lawyers. Richetti, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with Biden, mentioned that he had worked closely with him for 13 years and had ties to both Jill and Hunter Biden.

He allegedly expressed confidence that Biden could remain mentally and physically fit for office, also suggesting that he could launch a successful reelection campaign in 2024. While acknowledging that Biden’s age is a political consideration, Richetti claimed the team is strategically addressing it. Interestingly, he mentioned that famed filmmaker Steven Spielberg assisted Biden in preparing for a critical debate performance.

Although Richetti stated he was not involved in crafting Biden’s medical assessments with Dr. Kevin O’Connor, he did participate in discussions with senior staff regarding how those evaluations were communicated publicly.

During the transcribed interview, Richetti reportedly downplayed concerns about Biden’s cognitive functioning. He indicated that Biden now only makes “general mistakes,” which he believes are less frequent than those made during Biden’s vice presidency, even comparing it to Bill Clinton’s occasional gaffes at 45. Meanwhile, Democratic members who questioned him did not fully utilize their allotted time, focusing more on former President Donald Trump’s medical history rather than Biden’s.

Before his current role, Richetti has been a long-time aide to Biden and officially became a counselor in November 2020. Remarkably, Richetti’s family has multiple members working within the Biden administration, with his son recently being appointed as a special assistant in the Treasury Department. Other family members have held various positions in both the State Department and White House.

This continuing examination of Biden’s fitness for office suggests a persistent, if complex, conversation surrounding his capabilities as he approaches another election cycle.