Khanna says Biden aides heard his message on being overprotective: 'Let him be out there'

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Sunday he believes President Biden’s aides heard his message about being overprotective of the president. 

When asked on CBS’s “Face The Nation” if Biden’s top aides got Khanna’s message in April that they are too overprotective of him, Khanna said, “I think they do. The president has a great story to tell.” 

“He’s [Biden] a better politician than anyone who works for him,” Khanna said Sunday. “Let him be out there.” 

In April, Khanna said he thinks Biden is “actually really good” and that his staff overprotects him. 

“I think, put him out there in a press conference. Who cares if someone makes a gaffe? Every person makes a gaffe in conversations. Let’s see the authentic President Biden,” Khanna said in an interview on “America’s Newsroom” on Fox News in April.

Khanna’s calls came shortly after a photo went viral showing Biden holding a card with information about a reporter and the outline of their question during a press conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. 

The White House denied Biden was given the questions in advance. 

At 80 years old, Biden has faced questions over his mental acuity, especially as he launches a reelection bid. He is already the oldest person to serve as president, and he would be 86 at the end of a second term. 

Two primary challengers have announced their long-shot bids against the incumbent for the 2024 Democratic nomination, including self-help author Marianne Williamson and environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.