White House staff restricted President Biden’s access to information, controlled his reading material and limited meetings with senior officials throughout his presidency, even as they maintained until five months ago that he would seek re-election.

Biden, 82, the oldest person to serve as president, has faced scrutiny about his age and fitness for office. “In conversations that I’m having, they don’t even mention the president. It’s kind of sad,” a Democratic official said. “It feels like Trump is president already.”

Aides are understood to have worked to shield him from scenarios that could amplify concerns about his ability to perform the role effectively.

In preparation for an interview with Robert Hur, the special counsel investigating classified documents retained by Biden after his vice-presidency, staff are