House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has expanded his investigation into former President Joe Biden’s mental health and alleged power struggles within the former administration. On Wednesday, Comer requested transcribed interviews with five senior former White House aides, including former senior adviser Mike Donilon and former chief of staff Ron Klain. The inquiry centers on whether these aides may have improperly seized authority from Biden and whether they concealed his worsening mental and physical condition.
This probe follows Comer’s earlier request for testimony from four former aides and Biden’s physician, Kevin O’Connor. The investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny in Washington over Biden’s mental fitness during his final months in office. Recent discussions by media outlets such as CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson have intensified concerns about the former president’s cognitive abilities. Comer’s current effort represents a significant development in the ongoing political scrutiny surrounding Biden’s health.
Comer, a Kentucky Republican currently considering a bid for governor, has previously led an impeachment inquiry into Biden. Though the House never voted on the impeachment motion, the investigation remains a defining political issue. In a brief interview, Comer confirmed that several witnesses are already working with the committee and expects some to appear for testimony in the coming weeks. “They’re cooperating,” he told POLITICO. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to announce some dates within the next 24 hours of when those first five will be coming in.” This suggests a coordinated effort to bring key figures into the investigation.
As the probe continues, it underscores the complex political narrative surrounding Biden’s leadership and health. With the focus shifting to his former administration’s role in potential concealment of his condition, Comer’s investigation adds another layer to the ongoing debate over the former president’s fitness for office. The hearings could have implications for future political strategies, particularly as the 2024 presidential race looms.