Washington, D.C. – The House Oversight Committee Republicans have issued a detailed report raising serious questions about former President Joe Biden’s mental capacity during his time in office and the actions taken by his staff. The report, released Tuesday, suggests that key aides may have overstepped their authority, potentially making decisions without the President’s full awareness or consent.
The 93-page document, titled “The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House,” is the result of an investigation led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.). It draws upon over 47 hours of testimony from 14 former Biden administration officials.
The central claim of the report is that President Biden’s inner circle engaged in a coordinated effort to hide the President’s decline, limiting his access and using scripted messaging. Concerns are also raised about the use of an autopen, a machine that replicates a signature, to authorize executive actions, including orders and pardons.
The report suggests that such actions, if taken without the President’s direct authorization, could be legally challenged.
“Faced with the cognitive decline of President Joe Biden, White House aides hid the truth about the former president’s condition and fitness for office,” the report states.
The committee argues that any executive decision made without clear evidence that President Biden was fully aware and in control should be considered invalid. They are calling for a thorough review by the Department of Justice of all executive actions taken during Biden’s presidency, with a particular focus on acts of clemency.
The investigation involved testimony from several former Biden administration officials. Some of the individuals called before the committee included:
* Dr. Kevin O’Connor – President Biden’s personal physician, who invoked the Fifth Amendment during his deposition.
* Anthony Bernal – Former Chief of Staff to First Lady Jill Biden, who also invoked the Fifth Amendment.
* Annie Tomasini – Former Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations, who invoked the Fifth Amendment.
* Ashley Williams – Former Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations.
* Ian Sams – Former Spokesman for the Biden White House Counsel’s Office.
* Jeff Zients – Former White House Chief of Staff.
* Ron Klain – Former White House Chief of Staff.
* Neera Tanden – Former Senior Advisor to President Biden.
The report highlights the fact that none of the witnesses admitted to having concerns about President Biden’s cognitive abilities. The committee suggests that this lack of transparency raises further questions about the administration’s handling of the situation.
Republicans are also requesting an investigation into Dr. O’Connor by the D.C. Health Board of Medicine. They cite concerns that his medical assessments may have been influenced by political pressure, potentially misleading the public about the President’s health.
“The Committee recommends that the District of Columbia Board of Medicine review the actions taken by Dr. O’Connor while serving as the White House physician to President Biden for any potential wrongdoing in the medical care of the former president,” the report states.
The findings of this report are likely to fuel further debate about the leadership and decision-making processes during the Biden administration.
