Joe Biden ‘feels great’ after hospital visit to undergo routine physical

Joe Biden told the media he “feels great” after undergoing a routine colonoscopy on Friday.

The US President was required to go under anaesthesia for the routine check-up which meant that Vice President Kamala Harris was transferred power temporarily.

It’s not unusual for a president to do this. For example, President George W. Bush would transfer power temporarily to his Vice President Dick Cheney when he had to undergo routine colonoscopies.

Overall the transfer of powers lasted one hour and 25 minutes.

Biden spoke to reporters outside the White House upon his return from his annual physical check-up at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

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A clip posted by NBC’s Senior White House correspondent, Kelly O’Donnell, shows that Biden was asked about the state of his health as he resumed his duties.

Biden responded: “Good, we’re gonna release all the details. I feel great.

“Nothing’s changed, I’m in great shape so I’m looking forward to celebrating my 58th birthday,” the 79-year-old joked.

Biden resumed his duties as president by carrying out the presidential Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning two turkeys.

This year, two turkeys, named after a sandwich favourite: Peanut Butter and Jelly, were pardoned by Biden in the White House Rose Garden and are now set to retire to their home state at Purdue University’s Animal Sciences Education and Research Farm.

Also during his earlier brief interaction with reporters upon his return, Biden was asked to share his thoughts on the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict after he was found not guilty of all charges relating to two fatal shootings.

“I just heard it [the verdict] a moment ago,” he told reporters, “I didn’t watch the trial.”

When asked by a reporter if he stood by a past comment he made “equating Rittenhouse to white supremacy,” Biden replied: “Well look, I stand by what the jury has concluded. The jury system works and we have to abide by it.”