It’s no hidden secret that former President Joe Biden’s cognitive state while he was in the White House is exactly why those in his own party forced him out of the 2024 presidential race.
But how long did Biden and his inner circle know about his waning mental state?
That’s exactly what congressional Republicans want to ask Biden himself.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said yesterday he’s “open” to dragging Biden before the panel as part of his probe into the 82-year-old’s cognitive state and use of an autopen.
Despite not ruling the possibility out, Comer (R-Ky.) wondered during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity” whether it would “even be worthwhile” to bring the 46th president before the powerful investigative committee.
“We’re going to see who was giving the directive to sign these,” Comer said.
“If everyone says it was Joe Biden, then I’m certainly open to bring him in.”
Last week, Comer blasted out letters to five confidants of the former president — including ex-White House doctor Kevin O’Connor — demanding interviews about Biden’s mental and physical decline.
All five have made initial contact with the panel through their attorneys — though the threat of subpoenas remains in force if they balk at questioning.
“Lawyers for Neera Tanden, Anthony Bernal, Annie Tomasini, Ashley Williams, and Dr. Kevin O’Connor have contacted the Oversight Committee regarding Chairman Comer’s request and we will be in discussion with them about transcribed interview dates,” a congressional source said.
“We expect all witnesses to fully comply with the Committee’s investigation. The Committee will issue subpoenas if necessary.”
Comer’s move is unprecedented as no former president has given sworn testimony before Congress since Gerald Ford in 1983.
The since-defunct House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot subpoenaed President Trump for testimony in 2022, but he declined to appear.
“Look, I would love to ask Joe Biden a lot of questions, but right now, we’re starting with the staffers who were operating the autopen,” Comer went on.
“We’re going to bring the physician, Dr. O’Connor, in because he definitely was not telling the truth about Joe Biden’s health.”
Comer’s has solicited Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), a former White House doctor who held the role during the Obama and first Trump administrations, as part of the request.
The chairman also hinted that Republicans could pursue ex-first son Hunter Biden, former first lady Jill Biden and former White House chief of staff Ron Klain to determine the extent of the alleged coverup of Biden’s mental decline.
The probe comes amid the former president’s May 18 announcement that he had prostate cancer that spread to his bones, and renewed uproar over Biden’s lack of fitness for office following the release of the book “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.”