House Oversight Committee Schedules Interviews with Biden Aides

The House Oversight Committee plans to conduct five more voluntary interviews with aides from the Biden administration, confirming the dates with those involved.

An assistant from the committee mentioned that these interviews, featuring senior officials from Biden’s team, are set to take place in late July and early August.

Ron Crane, who was previously the chief of staff for President Biden, is expected to testify on July 24. Following him, former counselor Steve Richetti will appear on July 30, and former senior adviser Mike Donilon is scheduled for July 31. Finally, Bruce Reed, a former deputy chief of staff for Policy, will testify on August 5.

There’s also a scheduled appearance for Anita Dunn’s former communications advisor on August 7. Earlier, it was confirmed that former assistants to Ashley Williams, president and vice-director of Oval Office Operations, would testify on July 11, followed by Anni Tomasini’s former assistants on July 18.

Additionally, the committee chair, James Comer, has summoned Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former doctor, to give testimony on July 9. He had previously requested Anthony Bernal, who served as an assistant and senior adviser to the First Lady, to appear on July 16.

In a recent announcement, the committee revealed it would intensify its investigation into Biden’s inner circle by interviewing Crane, Richetti, Donilon, and Reed.

On June 25, the Trump administration had made it easier for Congress to question nine former staffers about private discussions with the ex-President by waiving certain enforcement privileges unless challenged legally by Biden or his aides.

Following this, Comer noted that Bernal had previously declined to participate in a scheduled interview on June 26. The next day, Comer announced he would formally summon Bernal due to his noncompliance.

In a related move, Comer sent requests to four more Biden officials, including press chief Karine Jean-Pierre and former Chiefs of Staff Jeff Zaentz, to provide testimonies in relation to the investigation.

Former deputy assistant Ian Sam and Senior Deputy Director Andrew Bates have also been asked to join the transcribed interviews.

In a recent hearing, Neela Tanden, Biden’s former staff secretary and senior adviser, shared that the autopen was used from October 2021 to May 2023, although it remains unclear who authorized its final use.