Biden, 81, now has a Secret Service agent stand at the bottom of Air Force One steps to make sure he doesn't fall as his fitness for office comes under greater scrutiny

  • A Secret Service agent now stands at the bottom of the steps of Air Force One 
  • An added precaution in case President Joe Biden takes a tumble again
  • Comes amid a series of stumbles since taking office – and rising concerns over the president’s physical and mental fitness for office

A Secret Service agent now stands at the bottom of the stairs to Air Force One as an extra precaution in case President Joe Biden, 81, falls again.

Some of the most minute details of Biden’s routine have come under scrutiny in recent months, including his routine to get on and off his aircraft amid a series of stumbles.

Following a series of stumbles, Biden over the last year started taking the shorter stairs on the under belly of Air Force One, rather than ascending and descending the more grand and much longer staircase traditionally used to board the presidential Boeing 747.

The physical stumbles are accompanied by a rise in verbal gaffes, bringing into question his mental fitness for office. A huge 86 percent of voters in a poll released earlier in February don’t think the oldest in U.S. history is fit for another White House term – despite Biden running virtually unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

biden, 81, now has a secret service agent stand at the bottom of air force one steps to make sure he doesn't fall as his fitness for office comes under greater scrutiny

A Secret Service agent (pictured left) now stands at the bottom of the steps of Air Force One as added precaution in case President Joe Biden takes a tumble again

biden, 81, now has a secret service agent stand at the bottom of air force one steps to make sure he doesn't fall as his fitness for office comes under greater scrutiny

Biden has fallen on the steps of Air Force One several times, prompting frequent use of the shorter, underbelly staircase over the last year. Pictured: Biden falls to his knees after slipping three times whne climbing the stairs of Air Force One on March 18, 2021

It comes after Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report was released this month and revealed through interviews with Biden that he observed the president’s ‘poor memory’ and ‘diminished faculties in advancing age.’

A New York Times report acknowledged the addition of a Secret Service agent joining the members of the military gathered at the bottom of Air Force One steps while Biden boards and disembarks the aircraft in an extra level of precaution for the trip-prone president.

Biden’s entire life in office has come under careful management in the leadup to the 2024 presidential election.

His gait has become halting after Biden refused to wear an orthopedic boot after fracturing his foot – likely leading to some of the stumbles and missteps during his presidency. Doctors have determined he is healthy, but have said his gait remains ‘stiff’ and it could get worse as time goes on.

Just two months after Biden was inaugurated, concerns emerged over his trip hazard.

biden, 81, now has a secret service agent stand at the bottom of air force one steps to make sure he doesn't fall as his fitness for office comes under greater scrutiny

Biden looks back at a sandbag as he is helped up from the ground after he fell on the stage at the Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 1, 2023

biden, 81, now has a secret service agent stand at the bottom of air force one steps to make sure he doesn't fall as his fitness for office comes under greater scrutiny

Two Air Force and one Secret Service agent are seen waiting for Biden at the bottom of the shorter set of stairs leading to the lower entrance of Air Force One

In March 2021, Biden, who was 78 at the time, stumbled up the stairs when boarding Air Force One. When steadying himself to continue up the stairs he lost his footing two more times, falling to his knees before successfully making it to the top.

The White House blamed the wind that day – but the stumble would soon become routine for Biden.

In May 2022, Biden slipped when entering Air Force One. He did not hit the ground this time.

Then just a month later Biden had an embarrassing moment when he fell off his bike during a ride with wife Jill while at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

The president was coming to a stop to speak with a group of reporters when he toppled sideways to the ground, remaining there for 10 seconds before he was helped to his feet by the Secret Service.

The excuse from the White House this time was that Biden’s foot became caught on a pedal when he was trying to dismount.

Biden ended a visit to Europe in February 2023 by nearly falling to the steps of Air Force One again when ascending the staircase. He used his hands on the steps to steady himself and avoid completely falling.

One of the worst falls happened after he delivered a commencement speech at the Air Force Academy in Colorado in June 2023.

The president tripped over a sandbag when walking on stage and fell to the ground. Secret Service and other bystanders were needed to help Biden back to his feet.

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