Biden’s ‘careless remark’ on Putin incenses GOP

Republicans are pointing to President Biden’s ad-libbed remark that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” as the most serious example of reasons to doubt his competency.

“It’s extremely concerning that our commander in chief can’t clearly communicate the policy of the United States abroad,” said Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), adding that Biden “left our allies a bigger mess” after a trip that was “supposed to reassure support for our NATO allies.”

Biden’s remark came as U.S.-Russia relations reach a breaking point over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its second month. The administration has been delicately navigating the conflict without risking escalation by the nuclear power, but some Republicans said Biden’s off-the-cuff remark may have done just that.