Bernal Invokes Fifth Amendment in Biden Investigation

Anthony Bernal, who previously worked as an assistant to Joe Biden and now serves as a senior advisor to Jill Biden, opted to remain silent when questioned about the president’s cognitive abilities, invoking the Fifth Amendment. This occurred during a closed-door deposition on Wednesday after he had missed a scheduled interview at the end of last month.

Reports indicate that Bernal declined to answer queries posed by House staffers, asserting his right against self-incrimination. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) confirmed this move, stating, “all options are on the table” when he was asked if the former president should be called to testify.

Comer expressed his desire to continue the investigation, suggesting that public concern around the issue is significant. He noted that during the deposition, Bernal pleaded the Fifth when asked if any individuals who were not elected or any family members had taken on the president’s duties, as well as if Joe Biden had instructed him to misrepresent his health.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who accompanied Comer, urged investigators to aggressively chase leads in this matter. He described the situation as corruption at the highest level, arguing that not being able to answer straightforward questions about Joe Biden’s capabilities raises further questions about his leadership.

In an interview with a major publication, the former president insisted that he had independently made all decisions during his presidency. Bernal is the second individual to invoke the Fifth in this inquiry, following Biden’s former physician, Kevin O’Connor, who did so last week.

Currently, the investigation revolves around serious claims outlined in the memoir “Original Sin,” released on May 20 by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. It details the alleged presence of a “Politburo” composed of close senior advisors, including Annie Tomasini, who reportedly operated as the primary decision-makers within the Biden administration.

Further interviews with other potential members of this “Politburo” are scheduled, including discussions with former White House chief of staff Ron Klain on July 24, former presidential counselor Steve Ricchetti on July 30, and others throughout early August.