During what may be President Joe Biden’s final Cabinet meeting, First Lady Jill Biden took center stage, leading to significant backlash. The meeting, held nearly a year after the previous session in October 2023, began with President Biden emphasizing the urgent need for Congress to pass a short-term funding bill.
He addressed the timeline, stating, “We have 10 days for Congress to pass a continued resolution” and noted, “We have four months left in the administration, and we’re going to keep running through the tape.” After his remarks, he introduced Jill, saying, “We’re grateful that Jill is here today — I heard that clapping, it wasn’t for me,” before handing her the mic and saying, “It’s all yours, kid.”
Jill Biden is kicking off the first cabinet meeting the White House has had in almost a year and we’re expected to act like this is normal. pic.twitter.com/cocPx6xMb8
— Kate Hyde (@KateHydeNY) September 20, 2024
Wearing clear-rimmed glasses and referencing prepared notes, Jill Biden focused on women’s health, particularly the work of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). “In February, ARPA-H, the agency Joe created to pursue breakthrough health research at lightning speed, launched its first-ever sprint for women’s health,” she explained. Her speech lasted over twice as long as the President’s, and attendees received folders of notes signed by both Bidens.
The First Lady’s prominent role sparked criticism, with some questioning who is truly running the country. Former Trump adviser Steve Cortes expressed skepticism on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Wow. A visibly exhausted Joe Biden just held a full Cabinet meeting for the first time in 11 months and immediately turned the mic over to his wife.” Former Virginia Congressman Scott Taylor echoed this sentiment, questioning Jill’s leadership during the meeting.
Later, Jill Biden hosted a tour for the cast of “The West Wing” in the Oval Office and spoke at a Rose Garden event celebrating the series’ 25th anniversary. She reflected on the challenges faced, stating, “The work is hard, and the days are long. And yes, there are times when the weight of all we have before us can just feel too heavy to carry. But that’s where the heart lies, where the future is created, side-by-side with our family of true believers.”
