Perhaps it’s what he believes or maybe he just wants to score political points.
Whatever the reason, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has accused fellow Democrats Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra of taking part in a “cover up to keep Joe Biden’s mental decline from the public.”
In a statement on Tuesday, May 20, Villaraigosa cited the newly released book, Original Sin by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, as evidence of an alleged plot.
The book’s official description says it delves into “desperate efforts” before the 2024 election to hide former President Joe Biden’s “deterioration.”
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Villaraigosa said claims in the book are “deeply troubling,” and the public deserves to know what role, if any, the former vice president and former health and human services secretary played.
“Voters deserve to know the truth, what did Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra know, when did they know it, and most importantly, why didn’t either of them speak out?” Villaraigosa’s statement read.
Both Villaraigosa and Becerra are running for California governor in 2026, with Gov. Gavin Newsom termed out. There have also been calls for Harris to join the race.
The former mayor blamed the alleged plot for Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
“This cover up directly led to a second Donald Trump term – and as a result, all Californians are paying the price,” the statement added. “Those who were complicit in the cover up should take responsibility for the part they played in this debacle.”
In a statement to Politico, Becerra highlighted Biden’s accomplishments during his four years as president.
“It’s clear the President was getting older, but he made the mission clear: run the largest health agency in the world, expand care to millions more Americans than ever before, negotiate down the cost of prescription drugs, and pull us out of a world-wide pandemic. And we delivered,” Becerra said.
A spokesperson for Harris did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment on the book or on her rival’s accusations.
Biden was in the headlines earlier this week after his office announced on May 18, that he was diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer.
Villaraigosa served as mayor of L.A. from 2005 to 2013. He was chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and launched a failed bid for California governor in 2018.
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