Overview
- Rep. Jamie Raskin, who sent his letter Friday, asked Physician to the President Capt. Sean P. Barbabella to run a comprehensive neuropsychological exam, release the results, and brief Congress by April 24.
- The White House dismissed the request and defended President Trump’s “sharpness,” with spokesman Davis Ingle insulting Raskin and pointing to a prior memo that described the president as in excellent health.
- Raskin cited Trump’s recent Iran-related posts that threatened massive strikes and his Easter remarks to children about the war, saying the behavior raised concerns about cognitive decline during an active conflict.
- Talk among Democrats about using the 25th Amendment has grown, yet there is no sign the vice president or a majority of Cabinet officials plan to invoke it, a step that would be required to sideline a president.
- Raskin noted Republicans previously pressed similar questions about Joe Biden’s fitness, including subpoenaing his White House doctor, signaling likely oversight clashes if the administration resists further disclosures.