Why Joe Biden’s Shadow Still Looms Over American Politics — Six Months After Leaving Office
It’s been half a year since Joe Biden stepped out of the Oval Office, but you’d hardly know it by the noise coming from the Republican side. Despite no longer being president, Biden remains a constant target for GOP attacks, especially from former President Donald Trump, who seems unable to let go.
Republicans’ Ongoing Obsession with Biden
The House of Representatives is diving deep into investigations aimed at Biden’s presidency. Their main claims? That Biden’s closest advisers might have tried to cover up a physical and mental decline during his time in office. Meanwhile, the Senate has jumped on the bandwagon, hosting hearings about Biden’s mental fitness.
And that’s not all. Trump’s own White House team launched an investigation into something seemingly trivial but politically charged: Biden’s use of the presidential autopen — the device that signs documents automatically when the president isn’t physically available to sign each one. Trump has dramatically labeled this a “massive scandal,” even calling it “one of the biggest scandals in the history of our country.”
The Autopen: Big Deal or Political Theater?
To the average American, the autopen is probably an obscure piece of presidential tech. Historically, presidents have used it to expedite the signing of routine paperwork. But Republicans are making it a lightning rod to question Biden’s capacity to govern.
Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden blasted the autopen’s use, calling it “a massive scandal” and invoking the Constitution’s Article II, which vests authority solely in the president. Van Orden’s point: The Constitution doesn’t mention autopens or chiefs of staff as substitutes for the president’s power.
New York’s Nick Lalota chimed in too, saying constituents are “curious about what was happening during Biden’s days,” a way of casting doubt on Biden’s leadership.
In response, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that the administration would cooperate with investigations — framing it as “we deserve to get to the bottom of it.” Biden himself fired back, calling the whole controversy “ridiculous and false,” affirming he was making decisions during his presidency.
Congressional Drama Heating Up
On Capitol Hill, the House Oversight Committee is holding hearings not just about the autopen, but about Biden’s fitness for office. Subpoenas have been sent to Biden’s physician and even to top aides of Jill Biden. Both have invoked their Fifth Amendment rights, refusing to testify.
Democrats, of course, aren’t buying the GOP’s claims. Missouri Democrat Wesley Bell labeled the probes as “an extraordinary waste of time” with “no there there.” But Republicans aren’t backing down. Committee Chairman James Comer has his eyes set on key former White House officials to testify, including Ron Klain, Jeff Zients, Mike Donilon, and others.
This means the story isn’t going away anytime soon — the committee has scheduled multiple hearings stretching through September, keeping Biden’s legacy in the headlines well into the next year.
Why Is Trump So Focused on Biden?
This obsession isn’t random. Trump’s tendency to blame his predecessors for America’s problems is well-known, and Biden is his favorite target these days. Even as Trump faces his own legal and political challenges — like criticism over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case — he points fingers at Biden, trying to deflect attention.
The 79-year-old former president, who’s also battling his own health concerns, has kept Biden’s age and mental fitness front and center in political attacks. Even though Biden bowed out of the 2024 race and handed the baton to then-Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump hasn’t eased up.
Republicans initially seemed ready to promote their new tax cuts, spending plans, and policy packages over the summer. But instead, Trump and his allies are doubling down on Biden. The autopen controversy, in particular, has become a GOP rallying cry.
What’s at Stake for Republicans?
There’s a political calculation here. By focusing on Biden’s age and mental fitness, Republicans try to keep the public talking about Biden instead of Trump — and avoid facing scrutiny over Trump’s own agenda.
Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” includes a mix of tax cuts, border security, and spending cuts to social programs like Medicaid. But polls show this package isn’t exactly winning hearts and minds. According to a recent AP-NORC poll, about two-thirds of adults see the bill as a win for the wealthy, and only about 25% say Trump’s policies have helped them personally.
Republicans are fighting an uphill battle to sell this bill, and public support on key issues like immigration, health care, and the economy is shaky. So instead of pushing policy, they’re sticking with attacks on Biden, hoping to energize their base and distract from their own struggles.
But Is This Strategy Working?
Not really, say some experts and Democrats alike.
Missouri Democrat Wesley Bell called the GOP’s focus on Biden “tone deaf,” arguing that Americans want their leaders to address real problems like rising costs of living, food, housing, and health care — not political distractions.
Republican pollster Whit Ayres agrees. He points out that the Epstein case scandal is far more important to Trump’s supporters than whatever happened to Biden’s presidency.
Even Republicans admit the balancing act is tricky. Nick Lalota from New York said, “My constituents care most about affordability and public safety,” but added, “this [Biden investigation] is an important issue nonetheless.”
Democrats Want to Move On
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats seem eager to avoid getting sucked into the Biden debate. Though they’re proud of Biden’s accomplishments as president, many acknowledge that his approval ratings weren’t stellar when he left office.
Virginia’s Don Beyer put it simply: Biden “was productive” but “was not at the top of his game because of his age.” For Democrats, the priority is forward-looking — winning back the House in 2026, gaining Senate seats, and figuring out who will lead the party in 2028.
Beyer also stressed the challenge of minimizing Trump’s damage with the current lineup of candidates. For Democrats, lingering on Biden’s presidency risks wasting political energy and opening doors for the GOP’s distractions.
What Does This Mean for 2026 and Beyond?
Both parties are gearing up for the 2026 midterm elections, where control of Congress will be on the line. Every issue and headline could swing crucial votes. The GOP holds a slim House majority, making these battles even more intense.
Trump’s coalition expanded in 2024, including more support from Black and Hispanic voters, particularly men — a rare feat for Republicans. But holding that coalition without Trump on the ballot will be tough. That may be why the GOP is intent on keeping Biden in the spotlight: to keep energizing their base with a familiar antagonist.
On the flip side, Democrats are counting on moderate voters who helped them flip the House back in 2018. They hope that aggressive GOP attacks on Biden won’t resonate with this group and that they can pivot the conversation back to issues Americans care about most.
Quick Recap: What to Watch for Next
-
House Oversight Committee hearings continue through September on Biden’s use of the autopen and mental fitness.
-
Republicans focus heavily on Biden to distract from mixed public feelings on Trump’s policy agenda.
-
Democrats try to avoid Biden-centered fights, focusing on winning back Congress and future leadership.
-
Public opinion polls suggest Americans want solutions, not distractions, with issues like inflation and health care topping their list.
-
The Epstein case remains a bigger deal for Trump’s base than Biden’s presidency.
In the end, Biden’s presidency might be over, but the political battles around him are far from done. With 2026 looming, expect this saga to play out loud and long — because in American politics, no legacy ever really fades away.
Login