Still no answers.
Anthony Bernal, former chief of staff to Jill Biden, repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Chairman James Comer said Wednesday.
Bernal, a longtime advisor to the former First Lady, declined to answer lawmakers’ questions throughout the session, Comer said in a statement on X.
“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.”
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Anthony Bernal — Jill Biden’s Chief of Staff — just invoked the Fifth Amendment during his congressional deposition.
This week new reporting confirms President Biden’s aides took unauthorized executive actions during his presidency amid his cognitive decline. It’s no…
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) July 16, 2025
Bernal had previously skipped a scheduled interview on June 26, part of the committee’s investigation into the alleged misuse of the presidential autopen and other actions by President Biden’s staff. Comer subpoenaed him after he failed to appear.
His refusal to answer questions Wednesday came just a week after Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former physician, also invoked the Fifth before the committee.
