The House Oversight Committee is looking into claims of a cover-up regarding former President Joe Biden’s mental decline during his presidency. Two former aides are set to testify this week.
The Republican-led committee plans to speak with Biden’s counselor Stee Britchetti and former senior adviser Mike Donilon on Wednesday and Thursday. They appear to be more spontaneous compared to other witnesses. Report by CNN.
It remains uncertain if they will diverge from past witnesses who either declined to answer questions or suggested that Biden could still effectively serve as president. Previous notable witnesses, including White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor, had to be compelled to appear and, once there, cited Fifth Amendment rights, avoiding questions.
Breitbart News mentions that Anthony Bernal, a former adviser to First Lady Jill Biden, and Anni To Masini, a former special assistant to President Biden, also invoked their Fifth Amendment rights during their testimonies.
Others allegedly supported Biden’s cognitive ability during closed-door sessions with a House Committee on Surveillance and Government Reform, which is chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY).
Among them was Biden’s Chief of Staff Ron Crane, who reportedly reassured lawmakers about Biden’s spiritual capability to carry out presidential duties.
Additionally, Ashley Williams, the president’s former special assistant, answered some questions but her own memory during her testimony was reportedly shaky, according to an unnamed source cited by CNN.
The CNN report states:
Sources indicate that she “can’t remember” several times during a five-hour interview, including questions about the use of teleprompters in cabinet meetings, discussions regarding Biden using a wheelchair, cognitive tests taken, and more.
The committee’s investigation is likely to persist into next month. Next Thursday, more members of Biden’s inner circle, including a former communications adviser, are scheduled to testify.
The committee aims to uncover who managed presidential responsibilities during the latter part of Biden’s term, particularly concerning the extensive use of an autopen for official documentation, raising several concerns, especially as his term wrap-up unfolded.
“Americans deserve full transparency, and the House Oversight Committee is committed to a thorough investigation to ensure accountability,” said Chairman Comer at the beginning of this inquiry. “The cover-up of President Biden’s mental decline is one of the most significant scandals in our nation’s history.”
