| Published May 28, 2025
A recent exposé has ignited a political firestorm, alleging that President Joe Biden’s administration was effectively controlled by a close-knit group of aides—dubbed the “Politburo”—who purportedly took undemocratic actions to maintain power and prevent a return of Donald Trump to the presidency.
These claims stem from the newly released book Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. The authors argue that as President Biden’s cognitive abilities declined, a select group of unelected advisors assumed control over key decisions, effectively sidelining the president. This inner circle reportedly included long-time aides such as Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Bruce Reed, and Ron Klain, as well as family members like First Lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden. The group also encompassed Jill Biden’s chief of staff, Anthony Bernal, and deputy Annie Tomasini, who often served as Biden’s traveling chief of staff .
The term “Politburo,” historically associated with the executive committee of the Communist Party, underscores the authors’ assertion of centralized, unchecked power within this group. Thompson contends that this cadre was willing to undertake “undemocratic things” to conceal Biden’s mental decline and ensure his re-election, viewing the prevention of Trump’s return as an existential imperative .
The book further alleges that some aides believed that once re-elected, President Biden could “disappear,” with staff managing the responsibilities of the presidency in his stead. This portrayal raises profound concerns about transparency, the role of unelected officials, and the integrity of democratic institutions.
Reactions to these revelations have been polarized. Some journalists and commentators have drawn parallels to historical political scandals, questioning the media’s role in scrutinizing the administration’s transparency . Conversely, critics argue that the book relies heavily on anonymous sources and lacks concrete evidence, suggesting that it may be politically motivated. A spokesperson for President Biden dismissed the book as a profit-driven endeavor, stating, “We continue to await anything that shows where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or where national security was threatened or where he was unable to do his job” .
The ‘Undemocratic Things’ Biden White House As Aides Were Willing To Do To Stop Trump
The phrase “undemocratic things” as used in the context of the Biden White House aides’ actions—according to the Original Sin book and reporting—refers broadly to measures that undermined normal democratic processes or transparency to keep President Biden in power and prevent Donald Trump’s return. While specifics are somewhat vague due to reliance on anonymous sources, here’s what the sources and authors have described or implied:
1. Concealing Biden’s Cognitive Decline
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Aides allegedly went to great lengths to hide or downplay Biden’s mental and physical struggles from the public and even from parts of the government.
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This included tightly controlling his schedule, limiting press access, and filtering what information reached the media and public.
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Such concealment could be seen as depriving voters of full knowledge needed to make an informed choice, which challenges the democratic ideal of transparency.
2. Circumventing Traditional Decision-Making
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Senior aides reportedly made key policy and national security decisions without direct presidential involvement.
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Some aides assumed authority typically reserved for the president, effectively running the administration behind the scenes.
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This raises concerns about accountability and the constitutional principle that executive power resides with the elected president.
3. Suppressing Internal Dissent
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There are claims that aides suppressed or sidelined officials who raised concerns about the president’s capacity or the direction of the administration.
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This created an environment where dissent was discouraged, limiting healthy debate and internal checks on power.
4. Managing Election Messaging to Avoid Admission of Weakness
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The team allegedly shaped election messaging to project an image of strength and capability, possibly distorting reality.
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This included aggressive media strategies and public relations campaigns designed to maintain voter confidence regardless of internal challenges.
5. Potentially Undermining Constitutional Mechanisms
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The book suggests aides avoided invoking the 25th Amendment (which allows for temporary or permanent transfer of presidential power if the president is incapacitated), fearing political fallout.
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By sidestepping this constitutional safeguard, the aides may have effectively kept a debilitated president in office beyond what would be considered legitimate.
6. Extending Influence Beyond Official Roles
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The close-knit “Politburo” circle reportedly included family members and personal aides who exerted influence without formal accountability.
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This blending of official and personal roles might have blurred lines of governance and accountability.
The implications of the allegations from Original Sin—that a “Politburo”-like circle of Biden aides ran the White House and acted undemocratically to retain power—are potentially far-reaching, both politically and constitutionally. Here are the major implications:
1. Erosion of Democratic Norms
If unelected aides truly took on presidential decision-making roles, it signals a dangerous shift from representative democracy to unaccountable governance. It could set a precedent where a president’s inner circle acts beyond public scrutiny, undermining the checks and balances meant to protect the republic.
2. Voter Deception
The allegations suggest that the American public may have been misled about President Biden’s mental fitness during a critical election. If proven, this deception could erode public trust not just in Biden but in future presidential candidates and the institutions tasked with informing voters.
3. Media Accountability
The narrative questions whether mainstream media outlets willingly downplayed or ignored signs of Biden’s decline. If journalists failed to investigate or report these issues, it challenges their role as watchdogs and raises concerns of political bias in coverage.
4. Future of the Democratic Party
If senior party members were complicit in propping up a faltering candidate for strategic gain, it could lead to a power struggle within the Democratic Party. Reformist voices may call for internal accountability, leadership renewal, and greater transparency.
5. Legal and Constitutional Concerns
There may be calls to examine whether the 25th Amendment should have been considered. If the president was unfit and aides circumvented constitutional mechanisms to retain control, it could invite congressional hearings or legal challenges, even retroactively.
6. Impact on 2024–2028 Elections
These revelations could galvanize opposition campaigns, especially those critical of centralized government power or elite control. It may reshape political messaging, with Republicans and some independents citing this as proof of “deep state” influence or executive overreach.
Overall Takeaway:
A secretive inner circle—referred to as the “Politburo”—may have wielded substantial power behind the scenes, effectively managing the presidency as President Biden’s cognitive abilities reportedly declined. To maintain control and prevent Donald Trump’s return, these aides allegedly took actions that compromised democratic norms, including concealing the president’s condition, sidelining constitutional safeguards, and controlling public messaging.
This situation raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the health of democratic institutions in the U.S. While the full truth is still debated, the revelations underscore the importance of vigilance in preserving democratic processes and ensuring that elected leaders remain fully accountable to the public they serve.
SOURCES: ZEROHEDGE – ‘Politburo’ Secretly Ran Biden White House As Aides Were Willing To Do ‘Undemocratic Things’ To Stop Trump
THE NEW YORK POST – Biden aides were willing to do ‘undemocratic things’ to keep faltering president in power: ‘Original Sin’ author
