Politics
Joe Biden – Republicans’ Focus on Joe Biden Could Backfire Ahead of 2026 Midterms
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ATLANTA (AP) — Six months after Joe Biden left the Oval Office, Republicans—including former President Donald Trump—continue to keep him in the spotlight. From congressional investigations to White House probes, the GOP is relentlessly targeting Biden’s presidency, but political analysts warn this strategy could backfire as the 2026 midterms approach.
GOP Investigations Into Biden’s Presidency
The Republican-led House has launched inquiries alleging that Biden’s advisers concealed his supposed physical and mental decline during his presidency. Simultaneously, the Senate has held hearings questioning the 82-year-old Democrat’s fitness for office. Meanwhile, Trump’s White House has opened an investigation into the Biden administration’s use of the presidential autopen—a device Trump has labeled “one of the biggest scandals in the history of our country.”
This aligns with Trump’s tendency to blame predecessors for national issues. Recently, he deflected criticism of his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case by pointing fingers at Biden and others.
However, the GOP’s fixation on Biden risks overshadowing their own policy agenda, particularly Trump’s sweeping tax cuts and spending reforms. Republican pollster Whit Ayres noted, “Most Americans consider Joe Biden to be yesterday’s news.”
The Autopen Controversy – Joe Biden
Republicans are pushing to make Biden’s autopen usage a major political issue. Trump, still bitter over his 2020 loss, repeatedly mocked Biden’s age and health in 2024, even after Biden withdrew from the reelection race in favor of then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Though Republicans initially planned to promote their new tax and spending policies this summer, Trump—now 79 and facing his own health questions—has kept the focus on Biden. His allies have followed suit.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) called the autopen use “a massive scandal,” while Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) claimed his constituents are “curious as to what was happening during President Biden’s days.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration would investigate Biden’s autopen use, suggesting aides may have abused the tool. “We deserve to get to the bottom of it,” she said.
Biden has denied any wrongdoing, stating, “I was making the decisions during my presidency. Any suggestion otherwise is ridiculous and false.”
Congressional Hearings and Subpoenas
The House Oversight Committee has held hearings on Biden’s fitness and autopen usage. Van Orden argued that the Constitution grants executive authority solely to the president—“not the chief of staff or an autopen.”
The committee subpoenaed Biden’s physician and a top aide to Jill Biden, both of whom invoked their Fifth Amendment rights. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) dismissed the probe as “an extraordinary waste of time.”
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) plans to summon former Biden aides, including ex-chiefs of staff Ron Klain and Jeff Zients, ensuring the issue remains in headlines through September.
GOP Risks Losing Focus on Trump’s Agenda
While Republicans pursue Biden-related investigations, both parties are battling to shape public perception of Trump’s second term. His signature legislative package—a mix of tax cuts, border security measures, and Medicaid cuts—faces mixed public reception.
An AP-NORC poll found that two-thirds of Americans see the bill as favoring the wealthy, while only a quarter believe Trump’s policies have helped them. His approval ratings lag on key issues like the economy, immigration, and health care.
Bell criticized the GOP’s focus on Biden as “rather tone-deaf,” arguing that Americans care more about inflation, housing costs, and health care. “This is a deliberate distraction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trump faces backlash from his base over the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein case records. Ayres noted, “The Epstein saga is more important to his base than whatever happened to Joe Biden.”
Even LaLota admitted, “My constituents care most about affordability and public safety. But this [Biden probe] is an important issue nonetheless.”
Democrats Want to Move On From Joe Biden
With Republicans holding a slim House majority, every political misstep could sway the 2026 midterms. The GOP must maintain Trump’s expanded 2024 coalition, which included gains among Black and Hispanic voters—a challenge without Trump on the ballot.
Democrats, meanwhile, recall their 2018 midterm success, when anti-Trump sentiment helped them retake the House. They believe the GOP’s Biden obsession won’t appeal to moderates.
Still, Democrats privately acknowledge Biden’s low approval ratings hurt them in 2024. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) praised Biden’s achievements but conceded “he was not at the top of his game because of his age.”
Looking ahead, Beyer said Democrats must focus on winning Congress in 2026 and preparing for 2028. “How do we minimize the Trump damage with what we have right now?” he asked.
Conclusion
As Republicans push investigations into Biden, they risk diverting attention from their own policy agenda—and giving Democrats an opening in 2026. With Trump’s legacy still polarizing and Biden fading from public consciousness, the GOP’s strategy could prove counterproductive. For now, Biden remains a GOP obsession—but whether that helps or hurts Republicans remains to be seen.