Jill Biden leads one of lame-duck husbands last Cabinet meetings before hosting Rose Garden party without him

WASHINGTON — Who’s in charge here, again?First lady Jill Biden did most of the talking Friday at the public portion of what may be President Biden’s final Cabinet meeting — just hours before she hosted a large Rose Garden celebration without him.The 73-year-old first lady, widely regarded as the most powerful in over a century, was seated at the head of the Cabinet Room’s board table and read from a binder about maternal health initiatives for four-and-a-half minutes after her husband spoke for just two minutes off the top of the meeting.“Before I begin this cabinet meeting, I want to discuss very briefly the need for Congress to pass a continued resolution.It’s critical, we have 10 days for Congress to pass a short term funding bill that gives them more time to deliver,” said the president, 81.“This Cabinet meeting comes at a time when we have four months left in the administration, and we’re going to keep running through the tape because the vice president and I [are] determined [to] keep making sure that the democracy delivers what the American people are asking for,” added Biden, who has taken extensive vacation time in the final stretch of his term.“We’re grateful that Jill is here today — you] heard that clapping, it wasn’t for me,” he went on.

“Here and across previous administrations, first ladies have attended these meetings for specific reasons.This is the first time Jill has joined us, and it goes to show how important the issue is, which she is about to speak to.”“It’s all yours, kid,” the 46th president signed off.The first lady, wearing clear-rimmed glasses and reading from a binder of notes, touted a list of recent women’s health-related funding allocations and executive-agency initiatives.Attendees were given folders of notes whose covers were emblazoned with Jill’s signature alongside her husband’s — drawing online criticism.“When did we elect her President?” tweeted the popular X account Comfo...