Biden’s White House Doctor Pleads Fifth in Health Probe

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, former White House physician to President Joe Biden, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee, refusing to answer questions about Biden’s health. The move has sparked intense scrutiny and fueled allegations of a cover-up regarding the former president’s mental and physical condition during his term.

The deposition, held in Washington DC, was part of a Republican-led investigation into whether Biden’s aides concealed concerns about his cognitive and physical fitness while he was in office. Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, described O’Connor’s refusal to testify as unprecedented, asserting it strengthens claims of a deliberate effort to hide the truth from the public.

O’Connor, who served as Biden’s physician for over a decade, cited physician-patient privilege and his constitutional right against self-incrimination. His legal team argued that a parallel Department of Justice investigation into Biden’s use of an autopen for official documents left him no choice but to plead the Fifth.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed O’Connor after he initially declined a voluntary interview. Republicans sought answers on whether O’Connor was pressured to misrepresent Biden’s health or if he believed the former president was unfit to carry out his duties.Comer highlighted two key questions O’Connor refused to answer: whether he was ever told to lie about Biden’s health and whether he believed Biden was unfit to serve. The physician’s silence has led to accusations that he is protecting sensitive information about Biden’s condition.

O’Connor’s attorneys emphasized that invoking the Fifth Amendment does not imply guilt but is a response to the committee’s refusal to respect doctor-patient confidentiality. They noted that revealing medical details could jeopardize O’Connor’s medical license and violate ethical standards.

The investigation stems from concerns raised after Biden’s poor performance in a June 2024 presidential debate, which led to his decision to drop his reelection bid. Months later, Biden was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 4 prostate cancer, prompting further questions about when his health issues were known.

Critics, including Comer, argue that O’Connor’s glowing health reports during Biden’s presidency contrasted with visible signs of physical and mental decline. The physician had previously described Biden as a “healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male” in a February 2024 memo.

Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett defended O’Connor, stating that his refusal to testify protects patient confidentiality and shields him from a politically motivated Justice Department probe. She accused Republicans of focusing solely on Biden’s health while ignoring broader issues like healthcare access.

The committee plans to interview additional former Biden aides, including former Chief of Staff Ron Klain and former Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Comer vowed to continue the probe, emphasizing the need for transparency on what he calls a national scandal.

O’Connor’s ties to the Biden family, including a past business venture with Biden’s brother James, have also drawn scrutiny. Republicans suggest these connections may have influenced his medical assessments, though no evidence of wrongdoing has been confirmed.

The deposition, which lasted less than an hour, ended with no new insights into Biden’s health, leaving lawmakers and the public with more questions than answers. As the investigation unfolds, the controversy over O’Connor’s silence is likely to intensify calls for accountability.