House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) slammed President Joe Biden’s policies since he’s been in office, saying it’s “been a failed presidency.”
During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night, Johnson explained how he plans to lead the House and discussed topics such as the ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine, possible threats of China to the United States as it looks to “rebuild the empire,” the U.S. economy and rising inflation rates.
Johnson noted he had a meeting with just him and Biden on Thursday for about 15 to 20 minutes, adding that it was “cordial and pleasant.”
“I can’t. I can’t. I think it’s been a failed presidency,” Johnson told Hannity when asked if he could find any good policy decisions that Biden has done a “good job” on.
It was great sitting down with @SeanHannity tonight to discuss unifying this Congress to address the challenges our country is facing. Watch the full interview here. pic.twitter.com/XskNGHR6uD
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 27, 2023
“And all of the problems, some of those that you’ve articulated already at the outset of the program here, were caused by policy choices,” Johnson explained. “And that’s the problem I have with him, it’s philosophical.”
Johnson clarified that he has “no problem with President Biden as an individual.”
“You respect the office,” Johnson added. “It’s a Biblical admonition that you give honor where honor is due. And that’s the honest, the respect that we have for the office. But, he and I agree on almost no policy.”
The newly elected Speaker of the House commented on Biden’s cognitive health, an issue that has been important to voters. Hannity questioned Johnson about whether he saw a “cognitive decline” in Biden.
“I do,” Johnson said. “I think most of us do. That’s reality, this is not a personal slight to him. It has to do with age and accument, and everyone’s different. Everyone ages differently. Clearly, if you look at a tape of Joe Biden making an argument in the Senate Judiciary Committee a few years ago and you see a speech that he delivers now there’s a difference.”
Johnson clarified that what is concerning is that the U.S. “cannot project weakness of any kind on the world stage right now” given the current events.
Biden is 80 years old and is currently the oldest person to serve as president. This has led many people to raise questions about his mental health in light of his many gaffes over his term as president.
A poll from NBC News in September showed that 59% of voters had major concerns about Biden not having the mental and physical health to be president for a second term, while 15% had moderate concerns, 12% had minor concerns, and 14% had no real concerns.
A similar poll from CNN in September showed that 56% of Democratic-leaning voters were seriously concerned that Biden’s age might affect his current mental and physical health, while 44% were not seriously concerned.