The House Oversight Committee intensifies its probe into the alleged cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline by issuing a subpoena to Anthony Bernal, a former senior advisor to Jill Biden.
At a Glance
- The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Anthony Bernal, a longtime top aide to former First Lady Jill Biden.
- The subpoena compels Bernal to appear for a deposition on July 16 as part of an investigation into an alleged cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s cognitive state.
- Chairman James Comer issued the subpoena after Bernal backed out of a voluntary interview.
- The probe was ignited by concerns over Biden’s fitness for office following a June 2024 debate performance.
Comer Subpoenas Top Jill Biden Aide
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has subpoenaed Anthony Bernal, a veteran advisor to former First Lady Jill Biden, escalating the committee’s investigation into an alleged “cover-up” of former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. The subpoena compels Bernal to appear for a deposition on July 16, 2025.
The move comes after Bernal, who had initially agreed to a voluntary interview, abruptly backed out after the White House waived executive privilege for his testimony. Comer accused Bernal of running scared. “With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth,” Comer said in a fiery statement reported by RedState. “The American people deserve answers and accountability, and the Oversight Committee will not tolerate this obstruction.”
A Probe into a “Cognitive Decline Cover-Up”
The Republican-led investigation was launched in the wake of President Biden’s widely criticized debate performance on June 27, 2024, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from the presidential race. The committee is examining the extent to which White House staff may have concealed the president’s true cognitive state from the American public.
As a close advisor to the First Lady, often described as her “work husband,” Bernal is believed to have had unique insight into the former president’s daily condition and fitness to serve. The committee has also summoned other key figures from the former administration, including President Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor.
High Stakes and Serious Allegations
The probe is focused on who was effectively making decisions in the White House, with the committee raising concerns about the use of an autopen to sign official documents. The investigation seeks to determine the legitimacy of executive decisions made during a period when the president’s capacity was being questioned.
President Donald Trump has weighed in on the probe, calling the allegations part of “one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history.” The testimony from Bernal and other former aides will be a critical next step as the committee continues to investigate the final year of the Biden administration.
