Biden Avoids Cabinet, Prefers Meeting Hunter’s Associates, Reports Say
The U.S. presidency is often called the loneliest job, but for President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, it seems their positions might come in at a close second. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal published Thursday, Biden has increasingly kept Cabinet secretaries and advisers at a distance, raising questions about his leadership and focus during his presidency.
Minimal Contact With His Own Team
The Journal piece reveals that Biden’s inner circle of aides tightly controlled access to the president, even from his own Cabinet secretaries. Some members of Biden’s team reportedly felt their input was neither sought nor welcomed.
“Interactions between Biden and many of his cabinet members were relatively infrequent and often tightly scripted,” the article notes. At least one Cabinet member stopped requesting meetings, believing such requests were unwelcome. Notably, pivotal figures like Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen were reportedly sidelined at critical moments, including during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
To all the Dems freaking out about Elon "running the country," Biden is currently president and no one knows who's running the country.
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) December 19, 2024
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), former chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said his concerns about the Afghan withdrawal fell on deaf ears. “I was begging them to set expectations low,” Smith told The Wall Street Journal.
By the numbers, Biden has convened only nine full Cabinet meetings during his presidency—just one in 2024. In contrast, former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump held 19 and 25, respectively, during their first terms.
Avoiding Scrutiny
Biden’s pattern of avoiding unscripted interactions extends beyond his Cabinet. His presidency has been marked by historically low numbers of press conferences and interviews. Axios reported in June that Biden’s limited public appearances heightened concerns over his age and mental acuity.
Even during his 2020 campaign, Biden’s team kept him largely hidden from the public. While his limited activity was attributed to COVID-19 precautions, insiders have suggested it was also a strategy to shield voters from his declining physical and cognitive state.
Contrasting Priorities: Hunter’s Associates
While Biden distanced himself from his Cabinet, reports suggest he showed no such hesitation in meeting his son Hunter’s business associates. Testimony and email records allege numerous interactions with foreign clients tied to Hunter, including Ukrainian, Russian, and Kazakh business figures.
Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s former business associate, testified to Congress in 2023 that Joe Biden participated in nearly two dozen calls with Hunter’s clients while serving as vice president. Archer referred to the influence of the Biden “brand,” saying it was essential for keeping clients like Burisma Holdings afloat.
Emails recovered from Hunter’s laptop further suggest Joe Biden was present at meetings, such as a 2015 dinner with executives from Burisma. One email from Vadym Pozharskyi, a Burisma executive, thanked Hunter for arranging the meeting.
“Dear Hunter, thank you for inviting me to DC and giving [me] an opportunity to meet your father,” Pozharskyi wrote in an email unearthed by the New York Post.
Additionally, visitor logs indicate Hunter’s associates made at least 80 visits to the White House during Biden’s tenure as vice president.
Fallout and Speculation
Biden’s diminished role has not gone unnoticed. Reports paint a president disengaged from leadership responsibilities while showing more energy for personal or family-related interests. Some former aides described his mental state as varying day to day, with lapses becoming more evident over time.
“Like many aging seniors, he has his good days and bad days,” a former aide told The Wall Street Journal.
The president’s inaction, particularly with his Cabinet, has drawn criticism. His apparent disengagement has coincided with several disasters, from the hasty Afghanistan withdrawal to economic struggles.
Meanwhile, Biden’s interactions with Hunter’s associates—and his perceived role in facilitating access to power—have fueled ongoing accusations of corruption and ethical breaches. Republican Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) referred to Biden’s involvement as aiding the “big guy,” a nickname alleged to reference Joe in Hunter’s dealings.
As his term winds down, Biden leaves behind a legacy of avoidance, scandal, and a Cabinet that rarely got his ear. Witness accounts suggest Biden was far more engaged when it came to Hunter’s business interests than in leading the country through its most pressing challenges.
