Biden gets annual physical, with fitness for office top election issue

• President Joe Biden headed to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical Wednesday morning.
• The White House will release a written summary of his results later in the day.
• The Democrat's age and fitness have become key attack lines from his political opponents.

President Joe Biden arrived at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday morning for his annual physical, with a formal summary of his results expected later in the afternoon.

While the physical is a routine examination, this year, it could help bolster — or undermine — the 81-year-old incumbent's case that he is physically and mentally capable of serving another four years in the White House.

The Democrat has weathered relentless attacks about his age and fitness from his political opponents, especially Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, who will turn 78 in June.

After last year's physical, White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor said Biden "remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency."

Despite their closeness in age, polls show voters are less concerned about Trump's fitness than Biden's.

Earlier in February, a Department of Justice special counsel investigating Biden over his handling of classified documents described the president in a report as an "elderly man with a poor memory."

Biden angrily pushed back on that report, acknowledging his age but declaring, "I know what the hell I'm doing."

This is developing news. Please check back for updates.

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