Washington’s latest spectacle unfolds Wednesday as Senate Republicans dig into claims that President Joe Biden’s team and the media hid his cognitive decline.
Breitbart reported that the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by GOP heavyweights, is poised to unravel what they call a scandal of historic proportions. Democrats, predictably, are ducking the fight.
The hearing, announced last month, zeros in on whether Biden’s inner circle and the press manipulated public perception of his mental sharpness.
Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Eric Schmitt of Missouri are spearheading this inquiry. It’s a bold move to expose what many conservatives see as a deliberate cover-up.
Sen. Eric Schmitt didn’t mince words, calling it “one of the most damning scandals in U.S. history.” He claims Biden’s advisers knew he was unfit to lead but lied to the public for their gain. That’s a bombshell accusation, but without Democratic pushback, it risks echoing in an empty chamber.
Democrats on the committee aren’t even pretending to engage. They’ve called zero witnesses, signaling a full retreat from the debate. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin plans a quick cameo, offering brief remarks before bolting.
Durbin’s office confirmed most Democratic members will skip the hearing entirely. This boycott hands Republicans a free stage to air their grievances. But it also fuels suspicions they’re avoiding tough questions about Biden’s tenure.
“We have so many important topics to consider, and this is a political undertaking,” Durbin said. His dismissal reeks of deflection, as if ignoring the issue makes it disappear. Conservatives argue this only deepens the public’s distrust in Washington’s elite.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee framed the hearing as a quest for truth. She wants to know “who was really in charge of the White House” during Biden’s presidency. Her pointed question about the autopen’s use is a sly jab at the administration’s opacity.
Blackburn also took a swing at Democrats’ no-show strategy. “They didn’t even call a witness,” she said, accusing them of “throwing the towel in.” It’s a vivid image of a party unwilling to defend its leader’s legacy.
The hearing’s focus on Biden’s inner circle suggests a broader conservative critique. Many on the right believe unelected aides wielded outsized power, shielding Biden’s struggles from public view. This narrative resonates with voters fed up with unaccountable elites.
Without Democratic witnesses, the hearing risks becoming a Republican soapbox. Cornyn and Schmitt will likely dominate, framing the narrative to their advantage. But a one-sided affair could undermine their case, making it look more like politics than truth-seeking.
Schmitt’s promise to “expose how it happened” sets a high bar. He’ll need concrete evidence to back up claims of a coordinated cover-up. Vague allegations won’t cut it when the public’s already skeptical of congressional theatrics.
The media’s role in this saga is another hot topic. Conservatives have long argued that the press gave Biden a free pass, downplaying gaffes and avoiding tough questions. This hearing aims to put that theory under the microscope, but will it change minds?
For many Americans, this isn’t just about Biden—it’s about trust in institutions. If Republicans can prove a cover-up, it could validate years of conservative warnings about media bias and political gamesmanship. But overplaying their hand risks alienating moderates who crave facts, not grandstanding.
Democrats’ boycott might backfire, too. By refusing to engage, they leave the field open for Republicans to shape the story. Yet their absence could also signal confidence that the public’s moved on from Biden’s presidency.
Wednesday’s hearing may not resolve these questions, but it’s sure to stoke the fire. Republicans are betting on outrage to rally their base, while Democrats hope silence will defuse the issue. In a divided nation, the truth often gets lost in the noise.
