President Biden held his first Cabinet meeting in almost a year and immediately turned the session over to a special guest — his wife, first lady Jill Biden.

Mrs. Biden sat at the head of the table Friday and spoke about an initiative to fund women’s health programs.

“This is the first time Jill has joined us and goes to show how important of an issue it is,” Mr. Biden said.

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It was Mr. Biden’s first Cabinet meeting since Oct. 2, 2023.

The session offered the president a chance to show he is still in charge despite dropping his reelection bid and endorsing his top deputy, Vice President Kamala Harris, to lead the Democratic ticket.

Some Republicans found it odd that Mr. Biden immediately ceded the spotlight to the first lady.

Mr. Biden, 81 is under increased scrutiny since dropping out of the race due to concerns about his age and abilities, with some questioning whether he is still running the country.

“Sleepy Joe is asleep at the wheel again,” Rep. Randy Weber, Texas Republican, posted on X with a clip of Mrs. Biden speaking to the Cabinet.

Mr. Biden started the meeting by fielding a media question about turmoil in the Middle East. He said officials are working to make sure people in northern Israel and southern Lebanon can return to their homes amid a volley of strikes between Israel and militants in Hezbollah.

He also said he remains hopeful of a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

“A lot of things don’t look realistic until we get them done. We have to keep at it,” Mr. Biden said.

Later Friday, Mr. Biden was set to hold a personal meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Wilmington, Delaware. Australia is a key member of the “Quad” partnership — along with the U.S., India and Japan — that serves as a check on China in the Indo-Pacific.