Leo Terrell, who once served as a civil rights lawyer and now shares his insights as a Fox News commentator, was given a significant role at the Justice Department by Donald Trump in January. Recently, he’s come under the spotlight for a rather controversial statement—asserting Jill Biden should face charges for “elder abuse.”

The online political world was set ablaze this past week due to a senior Justice Department official’s bold suggestion that Jill Biden should be held accountable for alleged “elder abuse” concerning her husband’s undisclosed health conditions.

Leo Terrell, now 70, transitioned from civil rights attorney to Fox News commentator and currently holds a prominent role as a senior counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. His allegations arose shortly after the disclosure that Joe Biden, the former President, has advanced prostate cancer.

Responding to a post on X, which accused Jill Biden of knowing about her husband’s health issues but still wanting him to pursue the Presidency, Terrell expressed no reservations. “Elder abuse! Criminal charges??” he posted, unleashing a storm of reactions.

Terrell continued to voice his accusations, posting multiple messages that echoed his claims, one of which branded elder abuse as a form of domestic violence. He asserted that Dr. Biden needs to explain her role in allegedly deceiving the American public and taxpayers.

His post continued, “I would never wish Joe Biden harm, despite my political disagreements; unfortunately, it seems his family wasn’t as considerate of his well-being.”

Facing Criticism

The backlash was swift and intense, following startling assertions from medical professionals and political insiders suggesting that Biden’s cancer may have remained undetected or unreported for years—a notion some find hard to believe.

Donald Trump Jr. compounded this skepticism, questioning how Dr. Jill Biden could overlook such a serious health issue. It should be noted, however, that Jill Biden’s doctorate is in education, not medicine.

President Donald Trump himself added to the controversy, stirring the pot by suggesting, “Someone’s not being honest.”

Reactions to Trump’s comments were sharp, with critics quick to dismiss what they saw as absurd claims.

One person argued, “Jill Biden holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership—not a medical degree.”

Another questioned the sanity of the accusations, asking, “Why would someone with a degree in education detect prostate cancer better than trained medical professionals?”

A third individual, evidently exasperated, fiercely responded: “She’s not a medical doctor—get a grip!”

“A Harsh and Hurtful Claim”

In the wake of Leo Terrell’s dramatic accusations towards Jill Biden, responses poured in—and they weren’t kind either.

Critics challenged not only the logic behind Terrell’s comments but also his intentions. Many judged his remarks as incendiary and unjust, especially considering Jill Biden’s background is in education.

One critic shared, “Such cruel and hateful behavior from some Republicans—absolutely shameless.”

Another stated, “It’s terrible how the GOP is acting. Joe Biden’s health and his ability to lead are unrelated. They should leave the family in peace; these accusations are absurd.”

During Biden’s presidency, annual health reports from 2021 to 2025 did not mention screening for prostate cancer, which is typically done using PSA tests for men over 50. This test is vital for early cancer detection, as recommended by the American Cancer Society.

In response to his diagnosis, President Biden shared a heartfelt post on X, featuring a photo with Jill and their cat Willow: “Cancer touches us all. Jill and I have learned that our greatest strength comes from our most challenging times. Thank you all for the love and support.”