Biden's physician pronounces him 'fit for duty' in first public medical report

Joe Biden is 'fit for duty,' his doctor declared Friday after the president's routine medical exam which included a colonoscopy and neurological check. 

Biden is ‘fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exceptions or accommodations,' Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's longtime physician, wrote in a six-page memo to press secretary Jen Psaki, which was released by the White House. 

In the first public medical report of Biden's presidency, O'Connor addressed a couple of items that had become topic of public discourse - the president's notable increase in coughing and clearing his throat and whether his stiffer gait a symptom of a neurological problem.

O'Connor concluded the causes were fairly minor issues.  

Biden is experiencing ‘increasing frequency and severity of “throat clearing” and coughing during speaking engagements” over the last few months and it ‘warranted detailed investigation,' the doctor acknowledged. 

The cause was found to be gastroesophageal reflux, which has him ‘clear his throat more often.’ It also contributes to his ‘occasional cough and sinus congestion.’ His symptoms are exacerbated after meals, the report notes. He has no tumors in his sinuses however.

The president, who turns 79 on Saturday, also has an ‘ambulatory gait’ that is ‘perceptibly stiffer and less fluid than it was a year or so ago.’

That gait distrubance can 'include a variety of neurological pathologies' Dr. O'Connor acknowledges. He cited the tests he ran to rule them out, saying he had a team of spine, foot and ankle, radiology, physical therapy and movement disorder neurological specialists to 'carefully examine and assess the president.'

The neurological exam found 'no signs of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or ascending lateral sclerosis' but did it did find 'a mild peripheral neuropathy in both feet.'

The doctor noted Biden acknowledges being stiffer in the mornings but that it eases throughout the day, which is attributed to the ‘number of orthopedic and sports related injuries’ the president had over the years, including when he wore a boot on his right foot last year.

Biden would ‘likely benefit from some shoe orthotics' and is in physical therapy, the memo notes. 

O’Connor first started treating Biden in 2009 when he was vice president and he was the doctor wrote Biden's last public medical report, which was released in December 2019 during the presidential campaign. O'Connor is a retired US Army colonel who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Army Special Operations Command. 

Biden is 5’11’ and 184 pounds with a BMI of 25. He ‘does not use any tobacco products, does not drink alcohol and works out five days a week.’

The six-page memo on his health concludes with: ‘President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency, to include those of chief executive, head of state and commander in chief.’

Biden told reporters he felt 'great' after his exam conclude on Friday. The tests included him going under anesthesia for a colonoscopy and putting Vice President Kamala Harris in charge of the country.

The president disembarked from Marine One and appeared to walk slowly and stiffly across the South Lawn upon his return from spending around five hours at Walter Reed Medical Center. 

'They're going to release all the details. I feel great. Nothing's changed,' Biden said of his first physical exam as president.

'I'm looking forward to celebrating my 58th birthday,' he joked. Biden turns 79 on Saturday.   

Biden took power back at 11:35 a.m. EDT, after speaking with Harris and White House chief of staff Ron Klain. He reliquished power at 10:10 a.m. EDT, leaving Harris in charge of the country for one hour and 25 minutes. 

'.@POTUS spoke with @VP and @WHCOS at approximately 11:35am this morning. @POTUS was in good spirits and at that time resumed his duties. He will remain at Walter Reed as he completes the rest of his routine physical,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote on Twitter. 

The White House said Harris worked out of her office in the West Wing, meaning she was not in the Oval Office as she assumes presidential power. Harris takes over amid reports she is being sidelined by the administration, which the White House has vigorously denied. 

Harris, the first female and first black vice presidential, made history with her time holding presidential power. 

Psaki called it 'another chapter' in the history Harris' selection as VP has made. 'I think that will be noted for many women, young girls across the country,' she said during her daily press briefing.

President Biden headed to Walter Reed for his physical as the Democrats passed his $1.75 trillion Build Back Better spending bill and days after a poll said American voters were split on whether he is mentally fit and healthy enough to handle the presidency. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends regular screenings for colon cancer starting at age 45. A colonoscopy can last about an hour. George W. Bush was the last president to undergo a colonoscopy with anesthesia while in office. And he transferred power to then Vice President Cheney in both 2002 and 2007 when he under went the procedure. 

Biden's motorcade arrived at Walter Reed Military Center at 8:51 a.m. EDT on Friday morning, where he was to undergo his first physical as president. It comes the day before his 79th birthday. Biden, wearing a face mask, waved as he went inside.

Psaki announced early Friday morning that Biden would be examined, adding later he 'will undergo a routine colonoscopy.'  

'As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007, and following the process set out in the Constitution, President Biden will transfer power to the Vice President for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia. The Vice President will work from her office in the West Wing during this time,' Psaki said.

The White House will publicly release a written summary of the Biden's physical later Friday afternoon, she noted. 

As required by section three of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Biden signed a letter to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives saying he is unable to discharge his duties while under anesthesia and designate Harris. Biden will send them another letter upon the conclusion of the procedure, noting he has resumed his duties of office.