4 Top Biden Aides To Testify On His Alleged Cognitive Decline

Four former senior aides to former President Joe Biden will testify to the House Oversight Committee about Biden’s alleged declining health while in office.

A spokesperson for Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the chair for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, confirmed to HuffPost that Neera Tanden, former director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Anthony Bernal, former senior adviser to the first lady, will testify later this month. Ashley Williams, former deputy director of Oval Office operations, and Annie Tomasini, former deputy chief of staff, will testify in July.

A spokesperson for Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, President Donald Trump ordered his administration to investigate his predecessor, alleging that Biden’s aides covered up his “cognitive decline” and criticizing Biden for using an autopen to sign documents, like pardons. Presidents, including Trump, have used autopens since 2011.

Biden defended himself in a statement last week.

“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency,” Biden said. “I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”

Comer sent a letter demanding testimony from five former Biden aides. In May, Comer urged Biden’s former doctor, Kevin O’Connor, to testify. O’Connor refused, according to Politico, and then Comer issued a subpoena to him last week.

“The American people deserve full transparency and the House Oversight Committee is conducting a thorough investigation to provide answers and accountability,” Comer said. “The cover-up of President Biden’s mental decline is one of the greatest scandals in our nation’s history. These five former senior advisors were eyewitnesses to President Biden’s condition and operations within the Biden White House. They must appear before the House Oversight Committee and provide truthful answers about President Biden’s cognitive state and who was calling the shots.”

The investigation comes after journalist Jake Tapper released his book “Original Sin,” which detailed Biden’s mental decline. According to the book, Biden would often forget people’s names and that top Democrats refused to press Biden on whether he was capable of running for a second term in 2024.

While appearing on “The View” in May with former first lady Jill Biden, Joe Biden there is “nothing to sustain” reports that his mental capacity declined while he was president. Jill Biden added that the people who wrote “those books” weren’t in the White House with them.

Comer has also requested testimony from Michael Donilon, former senior adviser to the president, Anita Dunn, former senior adviser to the president, Ronald Klain, former chief of staff, Bruce Reed, former deputy chief of staff and Steve Ricchetti, former counselor to the president.