Biden Says He Was VP ‘for 12 Years,’ Warns Deadly Race Riots ‘Could Happen Again’ at White House Civil Rights Event

President Biden stumbled over his script during a civil rights event in the Oval Office on Friday, mistakenly stating that he served as vice president for 12 years before quickly correcting himself.

President Biden incorrectly said he was vice president for “12 years” on Friday before correcting himself. ANNABELLE GORDON/CNP/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The 81-year-old president delivered remarks while signing an order to designate a historic area in Springfield, Illinois, as a national monument. This area was the site of deadly racial clashes in August 1908, where a white lynch mob confronted Black residents near Abraham Lincoln’s former home.

Biden, 81, made the remarks while signing an order to designate as a national monument an area of Springfield, Ill., where a white lynch mob in August 1908 clashed with black residents near Abraham Lincoln’s former home. Getty Images

“I never thought that, having been in the Senate for so many years as well as vice president for 12 years— for eight years and president for four years, that I’d see, that I’d have to worry about people wanting to erase history,” President Biden said, referencing the ongoing debates in Republican-led states over the teaching of Critical Race Theory. He stressed the importance of remembering such events to prevent history from repeating itself.

Sculptures representing charred chimneys make up the memorial of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Ill. AP

“It’s important, important, important,” President Biden emphasized, slapping the Resolute Desk for emphasis, “that anybody that walks by this area knows what happened here because it could happen again if we don’t take care of ourselves and fight for this democracy.” The Springfield riot in 1908 resulted in at least 17 deaths, including members of the mob and Black residents.

At least 17 people were killed in the riot. De Agostini via Getty Images

President Biden’s error comes amid growing concerns from within his party about his mental acuity, following a series of gaffes and moments of apparent confusion. Some Democrats have expressed worries that these issues could lead to a significant loss in the upcoming election. Prominent Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Ohio Senator JD Vance, former President Donald Trump’s running mate, have called on President Biden to consider stepping down before his term ends in January 2025, citing concerns about his cognitive fitness.