Gov. JB Pritzker, Democrats defend President Biden after DOJ report comments on his memory

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A DOJ report on classified documents that raised questions about President Joe Biden's age and problems with his memory prompted more Democrats to come to his defense, while Republicans ratcheted up their attacks.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson were among those speaking out Friday.

Democrats rushed to defend the President and downplay any potential concerns voters might have about Biden's mental sharpness. They are also questioning the motives of the special counsel's report.

Surveys have shown that voters are concerned about the age of both President Joe Biden, who is 81, and his likely presidential opponent former President Donald Trump, who is 77.

In a report about Biden's handling of classified documents, the DOJ special counsel raised the age issue, referring to Biden as an elderly man with poor memory.

After touring an early childhood care center Friday, Pritzker, who serves as a Biden surrogate, was critical of the language in the report.

"I thought it was extremely unfair for... a Trump appointee, originally to the Department of Justice, to offer his own opinions about the mental acuity or age of the President of the United States," Pritzker said.

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"I've been with the President of the United States many times," Pritzker said. "He is on the ball. The man knows more than most of us have forgotten."

The White House also went on the offensive.

"In that pressurized and political environment, when the inevitable conclusion is that the facts and the evidence don't support any charges, you're left to wonder why this report spends time making gratuitous and inappropriate criticisms of the President," White House Counsel spokesman Ian Sams said.

Mayor Johnson toured Englewood with White House Special Advisor Tom Perez Friday. Perez declined to take any questions.

With the Democratic National Convention coming to Chicago in just six months, the mayor said voters should not be concerned about the President's age.

"You know, look, President Biden has provided his country with an incredible gracious leadership at a very tumultuous time in our nation's history," Johnson said.