A senior aide to former First Lady Jill Biden declined to answer questions during a closed-door session with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday.
Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden’s longtime chief of staff and close adviser, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights when pressed by lawmakers on whether the former president had ever instructed him to mislead the public about his health or if any unelected individuals carried out presidential duties behind the scenes.
Committee Chairman James Comer criticized Bernal’s refusal to respond, calling it part of a broader effort to avoid accountability. Comer said the committee is determined to uncover what happened and is weighing further steps to obtain the information.
Bernal was subpoenaed as part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into the former president’s cognitive abilities and whether he knowingly authorized official actions, such as the use of an autopen for signing documents.
Last week, the president’s former physician, Kevin O’Connor, also declined to answer similar questions under oath, including whether he was ever directed to misrepresent the president’s medical condition or believed he was fit for office.
Comer noted the repeated use of the Fifth Amendment by key individuals as a troubling sign, adding that the American people deserve transparency from those who served in top roles during the former administration.