President Joe Biden, the oldest person to serve as president, briefly transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday while under anesthesia during a routine colonoscopy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Harris, the first woman, first Black person, and first person of South Asian descent to be vice president, was — for one hour and 25 minutes — acting president while Biden was under anesthesia.
Interest in Biden’s health has been high ever since he declared his candidacy for the White House in 2019 and remains intense as speculation about a 2024 reelection bid swirls. The visit to the medical center in the Washington suburbs was for his first routine physical exam as president — and his first since December 2019.
Following the first routine physical in office, Biden’s doctor, Dr. Kevin O’Connor said that President Joe Biden remains “healthy” and “vigorous” and fit for duty, but is showing some signs of aging.
O’Connor, however, revealed that he investigated Biden for increased instances of throat-clearing during public remarks and stiffening of his gait. O’Connor reported that Biden’s coughing was the result of gastrointestinal reflux and that the stiffened gait was the result of a new diagnosis of mild peripheral neuropathy, spinal arthritis, and compensation for a broken foot sustained a year ago.
O’Connor reported that Biden does not use tobacco products or drink alcohol and that he exercises at least five days per week.
As Biden left the medical center in the afternoon, he said he was feeling “Great!”
While serving as acting president Harris was working from her office in the West Wing, Psaki said. She later traveled to Ohio once Biden awoke from the procedure.
Harris, the first woman, first Black person, and first person of South Asian descent to be vice president, was — for one hour and 25 minutes — acting president while Biden was under anesthesia.
Interest in Biden’s health has been high ever since he declared his candidacy for the White House in 2019 and remains intense as speculation about a 2024 reelection bid swirls. The visit to the medical center in the Washington suburbs was for his first routine physical exam as president — and his first since December 2019.
Following the first routine physical in office, Biden’s doctor, Dr. Kevin O’Connor said that President Joe Biden remains “healthy” and “vigorous” and fit for duty, but is showing some signs of aging.
O’Connor, however, revealed that he investigated Biden for increased instances of throat-clearing during public remarks and stiffening of his gait. O’Connor reported that Biden’s coughing was the result of gastrointestinal reflux and that the stiffened gait was the result of a new diagnosis of mild peripheral neuropathy, spinal arthritis, and compensation for a broken foot sustained a year ago.
O’Connor reported that Biden does not use tobacco products or drink alcohol and that he exercises at least five days per week.
As Biden left the medical center in the afternoon, he said he was feeling “Great!”
While serving as acting president Harris was working from her office in the West Wing, Psaki said. She later traveled to Ohio once Biden awoke from the procedure.
