Discussion on Biden’s Pardons and Testimonies

On the “Megyn Kelly Show” podcast, SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly discussed testimonies from former White House doctor Kevin O’Connor and Anthony Bernal, who was Jill Biden’s former Chief of Staff. She suggested that these accounts could embolden those who accuse President Joe Biden.

Recently, Biden acknowledged to the New York Times that he had authorized his staff to use an autopen for signing various documents during his presidency. In light of Bernal asserting his Fifth Amendment rights, Kelly expressed skepticism that the Times report would be sufficient to challenge Biden’s pardons. Yet, she hinted that O’Connor and others might still be called to testify in federal court.

“I think the New York Times article isn’t solid enough,” Kelly remarked. “Sure, it wasn’t great, but I don’t see it reversing the pardon. However, there’s an interesting angle here. With the New York Times involved, O’Connor’s testimony might come into play down the line.”

She went on to imply that O’Connor may be protected by certain legal privileges, highlighting the nuances of patient-doctor confidentiality and the complexities surrounding legal subpoenas.

In January, just before departing the White House, Biden announced multiple pardons, including for prominent figures like former White House medical advisors and notable military personnel. In a significant move, he also commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals, spanning various political affiliations.

After the release of a book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson questioning Biden’s mental fitness, concerns were expressed by some Democrats regarding the president’s cognitive health. This has been a long-standing concern among Republicans. James Kommer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, called for O’Connor and Bernal to be summoned for questioning.

“If O’Connor and Bernal are given immunity, it’s clear they’re not looking to incriminate him,” Kelly commented. “They want to extract information about instances where they were allegedly instructed to mislead about his condition.”

Kelly noted that if it emerged that Biden and his aides had lied about significant matters, it could lead to far-reaching implications beyond just the pardons.

Both O’Connor and Bernal have remained tight-lipped during inquiries related to Biden’s conduct and his time in office, particularly regarding past presidents’ mental fitness.

Biden, in his interview with the Times, reiterated that he oversaw all pardons personally but relied on staff to facilitate the signing process, suggesting a commitment to fairness. In a brief span from December to January 2024, he signed only one pardon manually for his son, Hunter, using the autopen for others.