Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is grilled on Biden's health in brutal briefing: 'who ordered White House officials to cover up a declining President?'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday denied there was a 'coverup' of President Joe Biden's health and mental capabilities.

Biden's top spokesperson was grilled repeatedly about Biden's apparent change of heart when it came to a second term and denied his health had anything to do with the decision.

During her press briefing - the first since Biden's historic decision to step down as the Democratic nominee - Fox News' Peter Doocy asked her: 'It would seem that people in this White House knew that President Biden was slipping and it was hidden from the American people - so who ordered White House officials to coverup a declining president?'

'There's been no coverup,' she replied.

For weeks Jean-Pierre and other aides denied Biden was considering leaving the presidential race. For months, they denied reports his health was on the decline. But, on the June 26th presidential debate, Biden repeatedly fumbled for words and froze on camera, leading to questions from his own party about his ability to serve a secod term in the White House. On Sunday, Biden announced he was stepping down as the party's nominee.

She said the president made his decision in  'very short period of time.'

But she declined to offer more details, saying the president would lay out the reasons behind his decision when he addressed the nation from the Oval Office at 8 pm ET.

Jean-Pierre pushed back against reports that aides, lawmakers and Democratic officials had noticed for months that Biden was on the decline. 

She also said his health was not a factor in his decision to exit the presidential race.

'It has nothing to do with his health,' she said. 'I can say, no, that's not the reason.'

She advised everyone to watch Biden's Oval Office address.

'The President's going to speak to this directly to the American people tonight in prime time,' she said. 'Hear him out tonight.'

She also called calls for the president to resign from office 'ridiculous.' 

There have been questions as to why, if Biden can't serve four more years, he can serve six more months. 

Jean-Pierre argued that Biden was capable of serving out a full second term. 

'He didn't step down from from campaigning or from running because he didn't believe he can serve in a second term. That is not why,' she said.

She said his answer would be revealed in his speech.

Biden's decision to step down sent shock waves through out the political world.

He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be his nominee and turned over his campaign infrastructure to her.  The campaign renamed itself 'Harris for President.'

Within 30 hours Harris had pledges from enough delegates to win the presidential nomination.

Delegates must formally vote on the nominee at the Democratic National Convention, which begins August 19th in Chicago. 

The president returned to the White House on Tuesday after spending six days isolating in his Rehoboth Beach house, where he was suffering from COVID.

He has canceled a West Coast fundraising swing scheduled for the end of the week. He will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.