Anthony Bernal, former chief of staff to Jill Biden and a longtime adviser to the former first lady, repeatedly pleaded the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Chairman James Comer said Wednesday.
According to a statement Comer posted on X, Bernal declined to answer lawmakers’ questions throughout the session. “This week new reporting confirms President Biden’s aides took unauthorized executive actions during his presidency amid his cognitive decline,” Comer said. “It’s no surprise that Anthony Bernal is pleading the Fifth Amendment to shield himself from criminal liability.”
“During his deposition today, Mr. Bernal pleaded the Fifth when asked if any unelected official or family members executed the duties of the President and if Joe Biden ever instructed him to lie about his health,” he continued. “This is a historic scandal and Americans demand transparency and accountability. We will continue to pursue the truth on their behalf and examine options to get the answers we need.”
Bernal had previously refused to appear for a scheduled interview on June 26, part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the alleged misuse of the presidential autopen and other actions by President Joe Biden’s staff. After skipping the interview, he was subpoenaed by Chairman Comer.
His decision to plead the Fifth on Wednesday came just a week after Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former physician, did the same before the committee.
Separately, former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg was caught on hidden camera by Project Veritas describing Bernal as a powerful figure within the Biden administration, pointing to the president’s tightly controlled inner circle as the real concern.
