Rep. Burgess Owens joined more than 50 other House Republicans demanding President Joe Biden immediately submit to a cognitive test and share the results publicly.
Owens added his name to the letter written by Texas Republican Ronny Jackson. The latter served as White House physician during the administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. The letter raises concerns over Biden’s “age-related cognitive decline.”
“We are worried about your mental abilities,” the letter reads.
Jackson’s letter urges Biden to follow the example of former President Donald Trump, who underwent a cognitive screening in 2018 as part of his annual physical. Trump claimed the doctors who administered the test were amazed by his results. He continued to brag about the test for several years afterward.
The letter details several “gaffes” from Biden during news conferences and other instances where he had trouble remembering names and places.
“The American people should have absolute confidence in their President, knowing that he or she can perform their duties as Head of State and Commander in Chief. They deserve full transparency on the mental capabilities of their highest elected leader,” the letter says. “To obtain the level of transparency that the American people deserve, we once again urge you to submit to a cognitive test immediately.”
Owens, a former NFL player, joined a 2012 lawsuit against the league, claiming the league failed to protect players from concussions during his playing days. As a result, the suit claimed he suffered memory loss and impulse control problems from “repeated” blows to the head.
This is not the first time Jackson has called on Biden to take a cognitive test. In 2020, former President Barack Obama emailed Jackson expressing his “disappointment” over the former White House physician’s criticism of Biden’s mental abilities. Jackson twice previously called on Biden to undergo a cognitive evaluation.
Jackson was nicknamed “the Candyman” by some staffers during his White House tenure because of the way he allegedly doled out prescription drugs. A scathing report on his time as White House physician found he bullied female subordinates, engaged in inappropriate conduct involving alcohol while on a presidential trip in violation of policy and took prescription sleeping medications that raised concerns about his ability to care for the president properly.
Trump nominated Jackson to run the Department of Veterans Affairs, but he withdrew after allegations he created a toxic work environment and was drunk on an overseas work trip.
Other prominent Republicans who signed Jackson’s letter include Reps. Elise Stefanik, Lauren Boebert, Madison Cawthorn, Andy Biggs, Louie Gohmert and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Owens’ office did not respond to a request for comment.
