Biden White Home doctor Dr. Kevin O’Connor invoked the Fifth Modification as he declined to reply questions throughout his closed-door testimony on July 9 earlier than the Home Oversight Committee about President Joe Biden’s psychological acuity throughout his presidency.
The committee’s chairman, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), criticized O’Connor for not answering questions on Biden’s psychological state throughout his presidency, which critics have mentioned led to using an autopen for his signature. White Home staffers are alleged to have used the autopen with out the president’s data or authority.
“It’s clear there was a conspiracy to cowl up President Biden’s cognitive decline after Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s doctor and household enterprise affiliate, refused to reply any questions and selected to cover behind the Fifth Modification. The American folks demand transparency, however Dr. O’Connor would moderately conceal the reality,” Comer mentioned in an announcement.
“Dr. O’Connor took the Fifth when requested if he was instructed to lie about President Biden’s well being and whether or not he was match to be President of the USA. Congress should assess legislative options to stop such a coverup from occurring once more.”
Comer mentioned the committee will interview extra White Home alumni about Biden’s psychological acuity throughout his time period in workplace, a subject of controversy, particularly throughout his reelection marketing campaign, which Biden ended following a June 2024 debate in opposition to President Donald Trump.
Comer has despatched letters to former White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, former Particular Assistant to the President Ian Sams, former senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates, and former White Home chief of workers Jeff Zients, asking them to testify earlier than the committee.
“President Biden’s interior circle repeatedly instructed the American those who he was ‘sharp as ever,’” Comer mentioned in a June 27 assertion, accusing them of “dismissing any commentary” about allegations over whether or not Biden was match to serve and feeding “false speaking factors to progressive allies and the media, who helped perpetuate that President Biden was match to serve.”
“We should hear from those that aided and abetted this farce,” he mentioned.
The committee interviewed Neera Tanden, who led the Home Coverage Council within the Biden White Home, on June 24. Her testimony, just like the others, won’t be launched to the general public till the committee completes its interviews, in response to Comer.
Tanden mentioned there was “completely not” an effort to cowl up any alleged situation of Biden.
O’Connor isn’t the primary one to say no to reply the committee’s questions on Biden’s psychological health in workplace.
Anthony Bernal, who was an assistant to the president and a senior adviser to former First Girl Jill Biden, has declined to testify earlier than the committee.
“Now that the White Home has waived govt privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal— Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’—by no means supposed to be clear about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the following cover-up,” Comer mentioned in a June 25 assertion.
“With no privilege left to cover behind, Mr. Bernal is now working scared, determined to bury the reality.”
In case you discovered this text fascinating, please take into account supporting conventional journalism
Our first version was printed 25 years in the past from a basement in Atlanta. Right now, The Epoch Occasions brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to thousands and thousands of People.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, however our dedication to unbiased journalism has by no means wavered. This 12 months marks our twenty fifth 12 months of unbiased reporting, free from company and political affect.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory supply — simply $1 per week — so you’ll be able to be a part of thousands and thousands already celebrating unbiased information.