Recent observations of President Biden’s Cabinet reveal a growing unease about his mental fitness to lead the country.  Secretary Lloyd Austin’s anxious demeanor suggests a fear of being asked the critical question: is President Biden mentally fit to run this country?  Meanwhile, Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has damned Biden with faint praise, describing him as “effective in meetings.”  This tepid endorsement raises a crucial question: why aren’t other members of Biden’s Cabinet vigorously defending his mental fitness?

One would expect that someone from the inner circle would step forward to affirm his confidence in the president.  However, Secretary Antony Blinken and other key figures have remained silent.  This lack of vocal support from key Cabinet members only fuels speculation and concern among the public.  It also opens the door to increased scrutiny and doubt about Biden’s capability to lead, particularly in critical areas of national security.

The silence is deafening and deeply concerning.  Biden holds the nuclear codes, yet Lloyd Austin at Defense prioritizes political considerations over national security. If even a hint of doubt exists about the president’s capacity to perform his duties, it becomes a matter of urgent national interest.  The implications of such doubts are far-reaching, affecting both domestic stability and international relations.

Cabinet members are entrusted and vested with the responsibility to ensure that the president is fit to serve, especially in national security matters.  Importantly, they have the authority to invoke the 25th Amendment, which provides the legal framework for removing a president from office due to mental or physical incapacity.  Their reluctance to speak out, coupled with Yellen’s lukewarm endorsements, signals a troubling lack of transparency and accountability.  This hesitation suggests there might be more behind the scenes than what public disclosures reveal.  Such a scenario is problematic because it implies a potential breach in the American public’s trust in the nation’s leaders.

The situation highlights the importance of a robust and transparent leadership structure, especially in times of uncertainty.  The public relies on the government to provide clear and confident direction, particularly regarding national security.  Any indication that the leadership needs to be more fully satisfied with the president’s abilities undermines this trust and can lead to broader instability.

We cannot overlook the media’s role in this scenario, either.  There has been a noticeable lack of rigorous questioning from mainstream media outlets regarding Biden’s mental fitness.  This absence of critical inquiry further compounds the problem, leaving the public without clear answers and perpetuating a cycle of speculation and doubt.  It is imperative for the media to hold leaders accountable and to seek the truth, regardless of political affiliations.

Moreover, the implications for international relations are significant.  Allies and adversaries alike keenly observe the situation.  Any perceived weakness or instability within the U.S. leadership can embolden adversaries and cause allies to question their reliance on American support.  In a world with high geopolitical tensions, the strength and stability of U.S. leadership are paramount.

In this context, Biden’s Cabinet’s silence is a political issue and a national security concern.  It raises red flags about the administration’s internal mechanisms and the president’s health and fitness to lead.  Transparency and forthrightness are essential to maintaining U.S. citizens’ trust and ensuring the government’s effective functioning.

As a police officer, I appreciate the respect most people show me, and I am grateful that there are many fine Americans who appreciate and support the work of law enforcement and other first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to protect and help others.  But we are all fallible human beings, and none of us is above scrutiny.

Trooper Proctor’s suspension underscores the critical importance of impartiality in law enforcement.  His conduct jeopardized a high-profile case and threatened the public’s trust in the justice system.  For now and in the future, it is of the utmost importance that police departments continue to enforce stringent standards of professionalism to prevent similar incidents.  The integrity of our judicial system depends on it.  Our nation depends on it.

In case you were wondering, the solution is not Gavin Newsom.

Michael Letts is the founder and CEO of InVest USA, a non-profit organization that supports law enforcement agencies by providing bulletproof vests to officers.  With years of experience in public safety and community support, Letts is a dedicated advocate for first responders and national security.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.