Biden Hires Democratic Operative Amid Trump Admin Release Plans

Former President Joe Biden has hired Chris Meagher, a seasoned Democratic strategist and former deputy press secretary, to help improve his reputation and legacy amid criticism from both Democrats and the Trump administration. This move coincides with the Trump administration's planned release of audio from Biden's October 2023 interview with special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden's handling of classified documents and described him as having a "poor memory" and questioned his mental acuity. Meagher has already facilitated Biden's and Jill Biden's upcoming joint appearance on ABC's "The View," marking Biden's first media engagement since Trump's inauguration. While some Democrats prefer to focus on younger party leaders and are wary of Biden's return to the spotlight, Biden's team sees these appearances as an opportunity to rebut claims of decline and defend his political record. Biden's increased public engagement follows the traditional 100-day period of presidential transition, allowing him to more directly challenge Trump and shape his post-presidential narrative. Despite the risks involved, Biden's camp hopes to use these efforts to counteract efforts to damage his legacy and maintain his influence within the Democratic Party.