Biden forgets Homeland Security’s name at White House event

President Biden found himself in an awkward moment during a recent White House event when he appeared to momentarily forget the name of his Homeland Security Secretary. The incident took place as he stood in the East Room of the White House, announcing new measures that would provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants residing in the United States.

As Biden took the podium, he began with a humorous introduction, referring to himself as “Jill Biden’s husband.” He then proceeded to express gratitude towards Congress and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. However, the moment came to a halt when the president struggled to recall Mayorkas’ name, leading to a brief pause and some laughter from the audience.

Despite the initial hiccup, Biden attempted to lighten the mood by jokingly mentioning his difficulty in introducing the secretary. He then continued by acknowledging Mayorkas, as well as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Becerra, along with various advocates, families, law enforcement officials, and faith leaders present at the event.

The purpose of the gathering was to unveil a series of significant policy changes that would grant a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Among the key announcements was the administration’s plan to enable certain American citizens’ spouses living in the country illegally to apply for permanent residency and eventual citizenship without the need to leave the country.

While the event was intended to focus on these policy updates, Biden’s minor slip-up regarding Mayorkas’ name has raised questions about his mental sharpness as he enters a crucial election year. This incident comes on the heels of a recent report in The Wall Street Journal, which cited concerns from both Republicans and Democrats alleging a decline in the president’s cognitive abilities during private meetings.

Despite these concerns, Biden has continued to push forward with his legislative agenda, seemingly undeterred by the occasional stumble or critique. As the political landscape grows increasingly charged leading up to the upcoming election, observers will undoubtedly keep a close watch on the president’s public appearances and decision-making.