Former President Joe Biden dismissed the investigation into his competence during his White House tenure as "nothing more than a distraction." Star Shooter/MediaPunch /IPX
Biden Slams Democrats’ Criticism of His Health: ‘Why Didn’t They Run Against Me?’
The House Oversight Committee has said it will subpoena a former resident Joe Biden’s physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor this week if he does not agree to testify, as lawmakers probe suspicions of a cover-up of Biden’s mental decline by his officials.
“The cover-up of President Biden’s mental decline is one of the greatest scandals in our nation’s history,” said Chairman James Comer (R-KY) in a statement on Wednesday.
He added that O’Connor and senior Biden officials called to testify must “provide truthful answers about President Biden’s cognitive state and who was calling the shots.”
Newsweek has contacted O’Connor and Biden for comment on Thursday outside of regular working hours.
In March 2024, then incumbent President Biden, aged 81, secured the Democratic presidential nomination after gaining the required majority of delegates in primary elections.
However, during the presidential campaign there were continued questions about Biden’s mental faculties, particularly after a debate with GOP challenger Donald Trump on June 27, and the incumbent president dropped out of the race the following month and was replaced as Democratic Party nominee by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Prominent Republicans have alleged that Biden’s true cognitive state was covered up during at least part of his term as president.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer speaking in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. in May. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
In his statement, Comer said that he wanted to complete a transcribed interview with O’Connor, as well as four former White House aides—Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams, and Neera Tanden.
He said that if they “fail to agree to a date,” he will “issue subpoenas this week to compel their appearance.”
On Wednesday, Comer also wrote to Biden’s former White House chief of staff Ronald Klain; ex-senior advisor to the president for communications Anita Dunn; former senior advisor to the president Michael Donilon; former deputy chief of staff for policy Bruce Reed; and ex-counselor to the president Steve Ricchetti.
They were asked to either agree to a voluntary transcribed interview with the Committee within a certain timeframe or to “notify the Committee that you will require a subpoena to compel your attendance.”
Speaking to conservative-leaning network Newsmax on Wednesday, Comer said: “At the end of the day we made demands that he had to come in and answer questions and they could refuse to do that so I’m going to announce on your show tonight that he will receive a subpoena tomorrow.
“Dr O’Connor will be the first person to receive an official subpoena. We’re serious about these people coming in so now he’s going to have to come in and do a full-blown deposition as opposed to a transcribed interview.”
Separately, President Donald Trump has instructed the White House to investigate Biden’s executive actions and alleged use of an autopen, and whether his officials made decisions on his behalf.
Biden said he made all the decisions during his presidency and called the investigation “nothing more than a distraction.”
What People Are Saying
In the Oversight Committee statement, Comer commented: “The American people deserve full transparency and the House Oversight Committee is conducting a thorough investigation to provide answers and accountability.”
Speaking to conservative-leaning network Newsmax on Wednesday, Comer said: “At the end of the day we made demands that he had to come in and answer questions and they could refuse to do that so I’m going to announce on your show tonight that he will receive a subpoena tomorrow.
“Dr O’Connor will be the first person to receive an official subpoena. We’re serious about these people coming in so now he’s going to have to come in and do a full-blown deposition as opposed to a transcribed interview.”
What Happens Next
It is unclear whether O’Connor and the former Biden officials targeted by the Oversight Committee will agree to testify voluntarily. If subpoenas are issued, they could be held in contempt and face legal action and potentially up to one year in prison. (Newsweek)