Anthony Bernal, senior adviser to Jill Biden, has refused to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline.
Bernal is refusing to appear for a June 26 interview as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Biden’s mental decline and potential misuse of the autopen, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced Wednesday.
Comer sharply criticized Bernal on Wednesday for refusing to appear before the committee, accusing him of avoiding accountability now that executive privilege has been waived. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Former White House Physician Ronny Jackson Points To White House Staffer In Biden Cover-Up Probe)
“Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal – Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’ – never intended to be transparent about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up,” Comer said.
“With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and the Oversight Committee will not tolerate this obstruction. I will promptly issue a subpoena to compel Anthony Bernal’s testimony before the Committee.”
Comer also referenced testimony delivered the day prior by Neera Tanden, the former White House staff secretary.
“Just yesterday, we heard from our first witness, Neera Tanden, the former staff secretary who controlled the Biden autopen,” Comer continued. “Ms. Tanden testified that she had minimal interaction with President Biden, despite wielding tremendous authority.” (RELATED: Peter Welch Derails Biden Cover-Up Hearing With 7-Minute Rant)
“She explained that to obtain approval for autopen signatures, she would send decision memos to members of the president’s inner circle and had no visibility of what occurred between sending the memo and receiving it back with approval. Her testimony raises serious questions about who was really calling the shots in the Biden White House amid the president’s obvious decline. We will continue to pursue the truth for the American people.”
Bernal had previously agreed to appear for a transcribed interview with the committee.
However, on Wednesday, the White House Counsel’s Office announced it waived executive privilege for nine former Biden aides set to testify in congressional hearings on Biden’s fitness for office.
His legal team informed the committee he would no longer participate. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Ronny Jackson Accuses Biden Doctor Kevin O’Connor Of Sexual Misconduct)
Bernal is one of four Biden administration aides, along with Neera Tanden, Ashley Williams and Annie Tomasini, who have previously agreed to transcribed interviews.
Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House doctor, is set to testify in a closed-door deposition before the committee July 9.
