Pete Buttigieg, Troy Nehls face off in tense exchange over Biden's mental fitness

Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls on Tuesday pointedly questioned Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on President Joe Biden's mental fitness and the prospect of the cabinet invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.

"We now see the mainstream media questioning President Biden's mental state and for good reason," Nehls said to Buttigieg in a committee hearing, per CSPAN footage. "Sadly, he shakes hands with ghosts and imaginary people. He falls off bicycles. Even at the White House Easter celebration, the Easter Bunny had to guide him back into his safe place."

As he spoke, Nehls held up large signs illustrating the plethora of Biden gaffes that have prompted speculation on his cognitive decline.

"Cue cards that say 'sit here' or 'end of speech' which he actually states, that is if he stays awake," Nehls continued.

"So my question for you is sir, have you spoken with any other cabinet member about implementing the 25th amendment on President Biden," he queried Buttigieg.

"Of course not," came the transportation's emphatic response. Nehls continued his questioning over Buttigieg's response, asking if he had shared emails on the matter or dealt with other political appointees with whom he had discussed the matter.

"The President of the United States is as vigorous a colleague or boss as I have ever had the pleasure of working with," Buttigieg defiantly stated.

Nehls then ran out of time and the committee chairman declined to grant him more to continue his line of questioning.

Speculation on Biden's mental acuity has long persisted since before his presidency, though it has become increasingly prominent in recent months following the gaffes Nehls highlighted. Former President Donald Trump often discussed the matter during the campaign and, as recently, as this month posted about Biden's mental fitness for office.

"There are many people in their 80s, and even 90s, that are as good and sharp as ever. Biden is not one of them, but it has little to do with his age. In actuality, life begins at 80!" he wrote on Truth Social.

Even left leaning media figures have begun to address Biden's fitness for office, with CNN host Don Lemon asking White House press secretary in June, "Does the president have the stamina, physically and mentally, do you think to continue on even after 2024?"