Anthony Bernal, once a trusted aide to Jill Biden, is dodging a House Oversight Committee probe into an alleged cover-up of Joe Biden’s mental decline.
Fox News reported that his refusal to testify on Thursday has sparked a firestorm, with Chairman James Comer vowing to drag him in with a subpoena. The move smells like a desperate bid to hide something big.
The committee, led by Comer, is digging into claims that Biden’s inner circle concealed his cognitive struggles while possibly misusing autopen for executive actions.
Comer’s investigation, which also eyes unauthorized pardons, has Bernal in the crosshairs as a key figure. It’s a messy unraveling of what some call a carefully orchestrated charade.
On June 24, 2025, Comer dropped a press release blasting Bernal’s no-show. The former advisor’s legal team had confirmed his appearance, only to backtrack a day later. Such flip-flopping raises eyebrows about what Bernal’s so keen to keep under wraps.
The White House counsel’s office pulled the rug out on June 25, 2025, waiving executive privilege for the probe.
Deputy Counsel Gary Lawkowski’s letters, sent to Bernal and other ex-Biden aides like Ron Klain and Anita Dunn, made it clear: no legal shield for stonewalling. President Trump’s team isn’t playing games, signaling open season on Biden’s old guard.
“In light of the unique and extraordinary nature of the matters under investigation, President Trump has determined that an assertion of executive privilege is not in the national interest,” Lawkowski wrote.
That’s a polite way of saying the truth matters more than political cover. Bernal’s sudden retreat suggests he’s feeling the heat.
Comer didn’t mince words, accusing Bernal of “running scared” to “bury the truth.” He’s not wrong—ducking a scheduled interview after privilege evaporates looks like a guilty dodge. The American public deserves better than aides hiding behind flimsy excuses.
The probe’s focus on autopen use is particularly juicy. Neera Tanden, former Staff Secretary, testified on June 25, 2025, that she had “minimal interaction” with Biden despite controlling the autopen. She sent decision memos to his inner circle and got approvals back with zero insight into the process—shady, to say the least.
“Ms. Tanden testified that she had minimal interaction with President Biden, despite wielding tremendous authority,” Comer noted. If the Staff Secretary wasn’t in the loop, who was really running the show? It’s a question that cuts to the heart of Biden’s presidency.
Tanden’s testimony paints a picture of a White House where power floated among unelected aides. “Her testimony raises serious questions about who was really calling the shots,” Comer said. That’s not just a zinger—it’s a damning indictment of a presidency on autopilot.
Comer’s team has been at this for a while, having subpoenaed Bernal and others in the last Congress for allegedly obstructing earlier inquiries.
The Biden White House reportedly stonewalled, refusing to let aides face interviews or depositions. That kind of resistance doesn’t scream transparency.
Now, with privilege off the table, Bernal’s refusal feels like a last-ditch effort to dodge accountability. “The American people deserve answers and accountability,” Comer insisted. He’s right—voters shouldn’t be left guessing who was pulling the levers of power.
The investigation isn’t just about Bernal; it’s about whether Biden’s team hid his decline from the public and staff. Congressional Republicans suspect a coordinated effort to keep lower-level aides in the dark. If true, it’s a betrayal of trust that undermines democracy itself.
Comer’s threat to subpoena Bernal is no idle bluff. With the committee’s patience wearing thin, a legal showdown seems inevitable. Bernal’s team might think they can outrun the truth, but subpoenas have a way of catching up.
The probe’s scope—Biden’s fitness, autopen misuse, and potential cover-ups—strikes at the core of public confidence in government. “We will continue to pursue the truth for the American people,” Comer vowed. It’s a promise that carries weight in a nation tired of political games.
