Biden aide who called GOP ‘vampires’ faces Congress over Biden’s mental fitness
Former Biden official Neera Tanden faced scrutiny during her testimony before Congress on Tuesday as part of an investigation into Biden’s mental acuity. Tanden, a longtime Democratic operative, fell short of being appointed to Biden’s Cabinet due to controversial social media posts that came under fire during her confirmation process.
In her opening statement before the House Oversight Committee, Tanden emphasized that she had no experience in the White House that would raise doubts about Biden’s ability to lead as president. She reiterated that Biden was in charge, despite the ongoing investigation into his mental fitness. Tanden also expressed her willingness to cooperate with the committee’s inquiry, while also deflecting attention to the Trump administration and making several allegations.
Tanden was initially nominated by Biden to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) but faced backlash over past tweets that targeted Republican lawmakers. These tweets, which included personal attacks on senators like Susan Collins and Ted Cruz, ultimately led to the withdrawal of her nomination. Tanden had also referred to Mitch McConnell as “Moscow Mitch” and “Voldemort,” drawing further criticism.
During her confirmation process, Tanden deleted over 1,000 past tweets in an effort to mitigate the backlash. However, her nomination was ultimately derailed by opposition from both Democrats and Republicans, with Senator Bernie Sanders expressing concerns about the Center for American Progress (CAP) receiving funds from corporate interests. Tanden, who had previously served as president and CEO of CAP, disclosed substantial earnings from the organization in her financial filings.
As a Democratic operative, Tanden had worked on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns and played a role in drafting the Affordable Care Act legislation under President Obama. She also promoted the Russia collusion narrative and touted the discredited Steele dossier as credible evidence. Despite the setback of her failed nomination, Tanden found a place in the Biden administration as a senior advisor and later as White House staff secretary.
Tanden’s closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee focused on her oversight of autopen signatures from 2021 to 2023, a system inherited from previous administrations. The committee is investigating whether members of Biden’s inner circle deliberately concealed his mental decline and bypassed him in issuing important orders. The Trump administration, in response, directed the Department of Justice to open an investigation into the matter, prompting Biden to assert his authority as the decision-maker during his presidency.
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Tanden’s past controversies and her role in the Biden administration underscores the partisan tensions in Washington. As the investigation into Biden’s mental acuity continues, Tanden’s testimony sheds light on the complex dynamics within the White House. The implications of this investigation, along with Tanden’s political career and her future in the administration, remain to be seen.
