A senior official at the U.S. Department of Justice is calling for former First Lady Jill Biden to be held accountable for what she may have known about her husband’s health issues.
Leo Terrell, a senior counselor in the Civil Rights division, suggested Jill Biden should face criminal charges for “elder abuse” after former President Joe Biden’s advanced prostate cancer diagnosis was made public.
The debate began when Terrell reacted to a post on X accusing Jill Biden of knowing about the president’s health struggles but encouraging him to seek re-election anyway.
“Elder abuse! Criminal charges??” Terrell responded.
The diagnosis has stirred controversy, with critics claiming the seriousness of Biden’s health problems may have been hidden from the public, much like earlier concerns about his mental sharpness.
Donald Trump Jr. weighed in, asking, “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup??”
Former President Trump also commented, saying, “Somebody is not telling the facts.”
According to a statement from Biden’s personal office, the 82-year-old former president was recently found to have an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones.
The statement noted that while the cancer is advanced, it appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for treatment options to manage the disease.
Biden and his family are reportedly reviewing those treatment options while staying at their home in Wilmington, Delaware.
Medical experts, though not involved in Biden’s care, have stressed the seriousness of the diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is common among older men, but a Gleason score of 9, like Biden’s, indicates a highly aggressive form of the disease. The fact that it has spread to the bone makes it incurable, though newer therapies have shown promise in extending patients’ lives.
This revelation adds to long-standing concerns about Biden’s health and age, which plagued his presidency and intensified after a difficult debate performance against Trump last June.
A recent book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson describes aides allegedly downplaying Biden’s decline, including moments where he reportedly didn’t recognize public figures and struggled with basic tasks.
Despite stepping back from the public eye since leaving office, Biden appeared earlier this month alongside Jill on The View, where both dismissed claims about his cognitive health.
“They are wrong,” Biden said, while Jill added that those criticizing him didn’t see how hard he worked behind closed doors.
Following news of the diagnosis, Trump — often one of Biden’s harshest critics — set aside political rivalry to offer his support.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Vice President Kamala Harris also sent well-wishes, describing Biden as a “fighter” and expressing hope for his recovery.
Doctors note that while Biden’s cancer is serious, recent advances in treatment have given patients with similar diagnoses more time and a better quality of life.
While the exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, certain factors are known to increase a man’s risk. These include age, ethnicity, family history, and genetics, as well as lifestyle factors like obesity and diet.
