House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is requesting records of interviews with President Biden’s physician in connection with the committee’s investigation of Biden’s family.
Comer told White House physician Kevin O’Connor that the committee was “concerned that your medical evaluation has been influenced by your personal business activities with the Biden family.” letter It was sent to O’Connor on Sunday.
Comer pointed to a recent article. The Washington Post The Journal reported that O’Connor never recommended that the president undergo cognitive testing.
“Following concerns about President Biden’s performance in the June 27 debate between former President Donald Trump and former president Donald Trump, journalists rushed to report what the American public has seen clearly for years: that the president appears to be in poor health,” Comer wrote.
“The American people have doubts about President Biden’s ability to lead the nation, and the Oversight and Accountability Committee is investigating your assessment in February of this year that ‘President Biden is a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old man who remains physically capable of successfully executing the duties of the office of the presidency,'” Comer continued.
Biden’s debate performance raised concerns among Democrats and commentators that he may not be fit to serve another term as president. Biden, 81, has pushed back against those concerns and calls for him to withdraw, saying he remains the best candidate to beat former President Trump.
Comer has become a key figure in the Republican impeachment inquiry into Biden, but the investigation has yet to produce any hard evidence that Biden was involved in his son’s overseas business dealings while he was vice president or that any family members were involved in corruption.
According to the letter, Comer asks O’Connor to answer about her “independence.”
“You have repeatedly refused most interview requests from the media, yet given the conflicting and confusing messages coming from the White House about the President’s ability to perform his job, the Committee requires you to answer questions about your independence,” Comer wrote.
Comer noted that Biden did answer some questions. ABC News Interview Asked Friday if he would be willing to take cognitive testing, Biden responded, “I take cognitive testing every day.”
During a medical examination by Dr. O’Connor in February, Biden “Fit for the job”
Comer is also seeking documents from O’Connor relating to Americore Health and the president’s brother, James Biden, who sought O’Connor’s assistance in 2017 in connection with his work at Americore. Transcript Interview with the committee and POLITICO It was reported earlier this year.
“Given your ties to the Biden family, the Committee also wishes to understand whether you are in a position to provide an accurate, independent review of the President’s fitness to serve,” Comer wrote.
Comer asked O’Connor to contact staff by July 14 to schedule an interview.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
