Ex-high-ranking Biden advisor set to testify before Congress during examination of former president's suspected cognitive deterioration
The House Oversight Committee has been conducting interviews with former Biden administration officials in recent weeks, as part of an investigation into potential cognitive decline and possible efforts to conceal it by the former president.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Biden’s physician and family business associate, pleaded the Fifth Amendment during his deposition and refused to answer questions about being asked to lie about Biden’s health or his fitness to be President. Another top White House aide, Annie Tomasini, a Biden confidant, also pleaded the Fifth Amendment to all questions, including if she was instructed to lie about Biden’s health or involved in concealing classified information or business dealings related to the Biden family. Anthony Bernal, another Biden aide, pleaded the Fifth on questions about whether unelected officials or family members carried out presidential duties or if Biden instructed him to lie about his health.
These three are among the top former aides explicitly involved in the Oversight Committee’s investigation, having appeared in depositions and invoked the Fifth Amendment. Other Biden officials, such as Anita Dunn, have answered questions but did not plead the Fifth. Dunn is set to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday.
Mike Donilon, a onetime senior adviser to Biden, and Steve Ricchetti, a former Biden counselor, voluntarily participated in transcribed interviews last week. Bruce Reed, a former White House deputy chief of staff for policy during the Biden administration, is scheduled to appear for a transcribed interview in the House Republicans' investigation.
The interviews conducted by the House Oversight Committee have shown varying degrees of cooperation. Reed oversaw much of the domestic policy agenda in the White House during the Biden administration.
Chairman James Comer has indicated ongoing efforts to interview more Biden White House aides for further transparency on these matters. The House Oversight Committee is also expected to hold more interviews where individuals have been subpoenaed in the coming weeks.
It is important to note that this investigation is ongoing, and the findings and outcomes are yet to be determined. The public will be updated as more information becomes available.
References: [1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2] [3] [News Source 3] [4] [News Source 4] [5] [News Source 5]
- The House Oversight Committee's investigation into potential issues surrounding President Biden's cognitive decline and potential concealment of such issues has expanded to include politics related to war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, as top White House aides have been questioned about classified information and business dealings of the Biden family.
- General news outlets have reported that the House Oversight Committee's investigation encompasses not only the president's health but also broader issues such as the role of unelected officials and family members in presidential duties, raising questions about the separation of powers and the appropriate policy and legislation in such matters.
