President Joe Biden is not well. The 79-year-old delivered what is perhaps the most befuddled performance of his controversial presidency on Wednesday, raising questions about whether the 25th Amendment could be invoked to remove a commander in chief who is deemed "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office."
What happened: While addressing attendees at the White House conference on hunger, nutrition, and health, Biden called out for Rep. Jackie Walorski (R., Ind.) to stand up and be recognized. "Jackie, you here? Where's Jackie? [incomprehensible mumbling]," he said. "She must not be here." (Watch here.)
Why it matters: Walorski wasn't there because she died in a car accident last month along with two members of her staff. Biden released a statement mourning her passing at the time. It was a shocking gaffe even for Biden, who once urged a wheelchair-bound state lawmaker to "stand up [and] let them see you."
Wait, there's more: The president wasn't done making a fool of himself. Biden was ushered outside to the White House Rose Garden for another event to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act. After bumbling his way through some prepared remarks, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Ed.D., had to instruct her bewildered husband on how to dismount the assembled stage. (Watch here.)
"You go down here," she told him. Biden proceeded to mosey away from the podium like an escaped nursing home patient trying to cross a busy street. Biden eventually made it off the stage, but was put to shame by the swift and determined movements of an attendee chugging along in his electric wheelchair.
Spin room: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre struggled to defend Biden's obvious brain flub. The deceased congresswoman was "on his mind," Jean-Pierre told reporters, and Biden was simply "acknowledging [Walorski's] incredible work." Asked why the president was looking around for a dead woman, Jean-Pierre doubled down. "I think people. . .will understand when someone is at top of mind." (Watch here and here.)
By the numbers: The president will celebrate his 80th birthday on November 20.
What's next: Biden could be removed from office via the 25th Amendment if a majority of cabinet members deem him "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office." If that happens, Vice President Kamala Harris would be promoted to acting president even though she has yet to demonstrate the competence necessary to hold national office.