President Biden appeared to momentarily lose his train of thought and forget the name of his Homeland Security Secretary during a White House event on Tuesday. The event, held in the East Room, focused on announcing new measures aimed at providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.
After introducing himself with his usual quip about being “Jill Biden’s husband,” President Biden expressed gratitude to Congress and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. However, when attempting to recall Mayorkas’ name, he seemed to stumble and lose his place.
“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to introduce you all the way,” Biden remarked, eliciting laughter from the audience. The president then attempted to downplay the moment as a deliberate joke, stating, “But all kidding aside, Secretary Mayorkas, Secretary [of the Department of Health and Human Services] Becerra and advocates and families, law enforcement, faith leaders, and everybody that’s here.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment regarding the incident.
The event served as a platform for Biden to unveil sweeping policy changes aimed at providing a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Notably, the administration announced plans to allow certain American citizens’ spouses living in the country illegally to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship without first having to leave the country.
Biden’s apparent verbal lapse on Tuesday adds to the recent discussions regarding the president’s mental agility as he faces re-election. Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that some Republicans, and even a few Democrats, had expressed concerns about the president’s apparent slowing down during private meetings.
This event comes amidst a politically charged election year, with immigration policy at the forefront of national debate. The administration’s new measures are likely to face significant scrutiny and opposition, especially from Republican lawmakers.
This incident, while seemingly minor, has sparked renewed focus on Biden’s fitness for office and his ability to navigate the complex challenges of a presidential campaign.
Greg Norman from Fox News Digital and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Bradford Betz, a Fox News Digital breaking reporter, contributed to this report.
