Trump and Republicans Continue to Focus on Biden as Midterm Elections Approach
ATLANTA (AP) — Nearly six months post-presidency, Joe Biden remains the center of attention for many Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. This continued fixation points to possible implications as the 2026 midterm elections loom.
Investigation into Biden’s Administration Heats Up
The House of Representatives is initiating multiple investigations that allege Biden’s closest advisers concealed signs of his physical and mental decline during his tenure as the nation’s oldest president at 82. In tandem, the Senate has begun a series of hearings aimed at evaluating his mental fitness. Trump has escalated these discussions by launching his own probe into the Biden administration’s use of the presidential autopen, deeming it “one of the biggest scandals in the history of our country.”
This strategic redirection aligns with Trump’s historical practice of attributing the nation’s challenges to his predecessors. Recently, while addressing criticism regarding his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, he deflected by shifting blame toward Biden among others.
Political Risks of the Focus on Biden
Redirecting attention to Biden carries significant risks for both political parties as they approach the upcoming midterms. As discussions about Biden intensify, there is less opportunity to evaluate the effects—positive or negative—of Trump’s presidency, particularly regarding his sweeping tax cut and spending legislation that is currently reshaping federal governance.
“Most Americans consider Joe Biden to be yesterday’s news,” remarked Republican pollster Whit Ayres, highlighting the necessity for Republicans to strategically navigate their focus as they seek to define their own identity in relation to Trump.
Republicans Want the Autopen Investigation to Gain Traction
In a bid for vengeance for his 2020 electoral defeat to Biden, Trump has persistently critiqued Biden’s age and fitness in the lead-up to 2024, even post-Biden’s re-election withdrawal. Trump, now 79 and facing health issues of his own, continues unwaveringly to spotlight Biden, prompting allied Republicans to join the fray.
Wisconsin Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden labeled the use of the autopen in the Biden White House as “a massive scandal,” whereas his New York counterpart, Rep. Nick Lalota, claims that his constituents “are curious about what was happening during President Biden’s days.”
Investigating Biden’s Decision-Making Process
In line with this narrative, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that an inquiry into the Biden administration’s use of the autopen is underway. Trump and others have questioned Biden’s actual governance, suggesting abuse of a tool that has historically been employed in presidential signings.
“We deserve to get to the bottom of it,” Leavitt stated, as Biden counters allegations by asserting that he was indeed the decision-maker during his presidency, dismissing suggestions to the contrary as “ridiculous and false.”
Congressional Hearings Underway
On Capitol Hill, the House Oversight Committee is actively holding hearings regarding the use of the autopen and Biden’s overall fitness for office. Van Orden underscored that the Constitution’s Article II solely vests authority in the president, stating, “It doesn’t say chief of staff. It doesn’t say an auto pen.”
The committee has also subpoenaed Biden’s physician and a high-ranking aide to former First Lady Jill Biden, both of whom invoked Fifth Amendment protections, thus refusing to testify. Democratic Rep. Wesley Bell of Missouri, who serves on the committee, characterized the investigation as “an extraordinary waste of time,” declaring that “there was no there there.”
Committee chairman Rep. James Comer is keen on hearing from past White House chiefs of staff Ron Klain and Jeff Zients, along with senior advisers Mike Donilon and Anita Dunn, and several other key aides. Multiple session dates are set through late September, keeping this narrative prominently in the news cycle.
Challenges of Defining Trump’s Second Term
As both parties venture to define Trump’s anticipated second term, the GOP’s agenda—labeled the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—incorporates tax cuts, border security initiatives, and reductions in safety net programs like Medicaid. However, polls indicate a mixed response from the public, with approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults viewing the bill as beneficial primarily to the wealthy. Additionally, Trump struggles to gain majority support on critical issues such as the economy, immigration, and health care.
“It is rather tone deaf,” declared Rep. Wesley Bell, a Democrat from Missouri, criticizing Republicans for choosing to pursue scrutiny of Biden rather than addressing pressing issues affecting American households, including rising costs of living, food, and housing.
Trump Faces Internal Challenges Amid Biden Investigations
This political landscape also places Trump in a precarious position, as he faces backlash from his own supporters over the Justice Department’s decision not to publicly disclose additional records concerning the Epstein case. According to Republican pollster Ayres, “The Epstein saga is more important to his base than whatever happened to Joe Biden.”
Even Lalota acknowledged the necessity for Republicans to balance Biden’s inquiries with broader concerns of his constituents, stating, “My constituents care most about affordability and public safety. But this is an important issue nonetheless.”
Democrats Prefer to Shift Focus Away from Biden
With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House, every contentious issue could become pivotal in the upcoming elections, pressuring GOP members to retain Trump’s diverse coalition—particularly gaining traction among Black and Hispanic voters. However, maintaining this momentum may prove challenging with Trump not personally on the ballot.
For Democrats, reflections on their 2018 midterm success—when they reclaimed the House majority partly through moderate voters—inform their cautious approach toward engaging with Biden during these discussions. They recognize that heightened aggression regarding Biden may not resonate well with disenchanted Republicans, a crucial segment for their electoral strategy.
As Democrats champion Biden’s achievements, they also express reluctance to delve into discussions about a figure who concluded his presidency with dwindling approval ratings, thus forcing a difficult late adjustment in their electoral strategy. Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer acknowledged Biden’s productivity while also admitting that “he was not at the top of his game because of his age,” reinforcing the party’s goal to focus forward toward regaining control of the House and enhancing Senate representation.
“And then who’s our standard bearer in 2028?” Beyer inquired, emphasizing the importance of minimizing the perceived damage from Trump and navigating the upcoming political landscape effectively.