Anthony Bernal, the former advisor to former First Lady Jill Biden, is refusing to appear before the House Oversight Committee to be questioned about the alleged cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s mental decline. Despite President Trump’s decision to waive executive privilege, Bernal has declined to participate in an interview set for June 26, 2025, prompting the committee to consider issuing a subpoena to compel him to testify.
Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., called Bernal’s refusal to testify a clear sign of evasion, stating that with the executive privilege shield removed, Bernal is now ‘running scared’ and must provide transparency to the American public. The committee is examining whether senior Biden aides, including Bernal, played a role in concealing concerns about the former president’s mental condition from the public and even from lower-level White House staff.
Comer’s office noted that Bernal’s legal team had previously confirmed his appearance for the interview, but after the White House counsel’s office notified Bernal of the waived privilege, his team informed the committee he would no longer participate. This follows previous attempts by the House GOP to subpoena key White House aides, which were allegedly obstructed by the Biden administration, leading to ongoing scrutiny over the investigation’s challenges.
Recent testimony from Neera Tanden, former Staff Secretary who managed the Biden autopen, raised serious questions about who was actually making decisions during the former president’s decline. Comer emphasized that the committee remains committed to uncovering the truth for the American people, even as it navigates the complexities of the investigation.
The White House, under the Trump administration, has determined that the unique and extraordinary nature of these matters does not justify asserting executive privilege. This decision has made it easier for the committee to proceed with its inquiry into the alleged cover-up efforts, although Bernal’s refusal to testify remains a significant hurdle in the process.