A contentious Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, centered on allegations of a “cover-up” regarding former President Joe Biden’s mental fitness during his tenure, created multiple tense moments between Republicans and Democrats. The session, which saw a near-total Democratic boycott, drew criticism from Republican senators who felt like the absence was an admission of complicity.
Democrats’ Boycott Fuels Republican Accusations
Only two Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), attended the hearing, both leaving after their remarks. Their exits, coupled with the absence of their colleagues, prompted Republican senators to take advantage of the moment.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) pointedly remarked, “I will note that few of my Democratic colleagues are here today — thank you to Sen. Welch from Vermont for being here — leaving us with no other option than to take the boycotting of this hearing as an admission of guilt for their role in this crisis.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) echoed this sentiment, framing the boycott as a refusal to confront uncomfortable truths. “Given [Biden’s] mental incapacity, the American people deserve to know who was running the country for the last four years,” Schmitt stated.
He criticized Democrats for failing to call witnesses or engage meaningfully, adding, “Their absence speaks volumes — an implicit admission that the truth is too inconvenient to face. By refusing to engage in this critical examination, they abdicate their responsibility to the American people.”
Republican Senators Amplify the Narrative
The hearing saw Republicans doubling down on their claims. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) delivered heavy criticism, asserting, “Not a single Democrat is here today because not a single one of them gives a d*mn about the fact that they lied to the American people for four years.”
He insisted that Democratic leaders were fully aware of Biden’s alleged mental unfitness but chose to conceal it. The absence of Democrats, Cruz argued, was a deliberate dodge of accountability.
Sean Spicer, now a media host, also weighed in during his testimony, calling out the Democrats’ absence from the hearing. His presence added a high-profile voice to the Republican-led inquiry, amplifying the narrative of a hidden crisis in the Biden administration.
Democrats Counter with Trump-Focused Deflection
Sen. Durbin, during his brief appearance, shifted the focus to former President Donald Trump, playing a montage of Trump’s past statements to question his cognitive fitness. The clips highlighted controversial remarks, including references to Haitian migrants eating pets and Trump’s vague “concepts of a plan.”
Democrats on the committee reinforced this counterattack in a post on X, stating, “Senate Judiciary Republicans are holding a sham hearing now. If you want to talk about a President’s state of mind, consider this mess. We’re focused on the critical challenges facing our nation. Back to business.”
Senate Judiciary Republicans are holding a sham hearing now. If you want to talk about a President’s state of mind, consider this mess.
We’re focused on the critical challenges facing our nation.
Back to business. pic.twitter.com/nPXraHpcjU
— Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryDems) June 18, 2025
You can watch the hearing in full by using the video player below:
