Biden directed his aides to intensify criticism of Trump's erratic remarks

President Joe Biden recently directed his senior campaign aides to intensify their focus on highlighting former President Donald Trump's controversial statements, according to two sources familiar with the president's instructions. Biden's directive, conveyed to his top staff, aimed to increase efforts in spotlighting the provocative remarks made by Trump, according to the sources. This previously undisclosed guidance from the president indicates Biden's belief in the importance of portraying his potential Republican opponent as erratic and unfit for office. The Biden campaign has consistently stated its readiness for Trump's potential candidacy. The reelection team has long prioritized emphasizing the perceived differences in temperament and worldview between Biden and Trump. Biden's advisers view warning voters about the potential consequences of another Trump presidency as central to their election strategy, spanning various policy areas. This strategy reflects concerns among Biden's aides that many voters may have overlooked what they consider to be the more egregious moments of Trump's presidency. The campaign aims to counter this by continually reminding voters of Trump's record. Ammar Moussa, the Biden campaign's director of rapid response, emphasized the importance of presenting voters with a clear choice between Biden and Trump. The president issued these instructions to his top aides in recent weeks, prior to the release of special counsel Robert Hur's report on Biden's handling of classified documents. While Hur did not press charges against Biden, his report stirred controversy by characterizing Biden as an elderly man with memory issues. This marks the second time, according to a campaign official, that a statement from the Biden campaign has been attributed directly to the president. The first instance occurred in December when Biden criticized Trump's "Muslim ban" on its eighth anniversary, condemning it as "cruel" and inconsistent with America's history of welcoming people of all faiths.