Political analyst Mark Halperin spoke on SiriusXM’s “Meggin Kelly Show,” urging legacy media to treat the actions of former White House doctor Kevin O’Connor during the Biden era as potentially questionable, suggesting he may have “abused public trust.”

O’Connor, who served as doctor to former President Joe Biden, found himself embroiled in a legal situation on Wednesday. During a deposition with the House Oversight Committee, he declined to answer lawmakers’ inquiries about reports concerning the former president’s cognitive decline. Kelly noted that O’Connor seemed “too close” to Jill Biden and had more loyalty to her husband than to the nation.

“All presidents pick doctors they’re comfortable with in the White House. I think, you know, certain news outlets are acting like there’s a mystery surrounding this guy’s actions. He just didn’t respond to questions posed by the media,” Kelly stated.

“He had, I mean, he conducted tests that weren’t disclosed, or perhaps he never conducted them at all. And, well, I guess, what’s the point of not doing brain scans?”

This discussion comes in the wake of Biden’s contentious debate against Trump in June 2024. Reports surfaced afterward—particularly from the Washington Post—indicating that neurologists had consulted with O’Connor earlier that year, which raised additional questions.

The scrutiny intensified after public reactions, including from Democrats and media analysts, questioning Biden’s mental fitness based on his debate performance.

“I don’t know what specific crimes he may have committed, but he has eroded public trust,” Halperin remarked. “As a physician, he has responsibilities to both the patient and the public. Given his role in this situation, it’s hard to see how he could remain functional after all this.”

“Essentially, they must be aware of how serious things are and chose to conceal it. We don’t have all the details, but whether or not it’s classified as a crime, it certainly feels like a political and ethical failing from someone who should be held to a higher standard.”

For years, some Democrats attempted to dismiss concerns regarding Biden’s cognitive state, while his aides referred to criticisms as mere “cheap lies.” Republican voices had signaled worries about Biden’s mental acuity even before the 2020 campaign commenced.

While many Democrats continued to support Biden until his debate, a poll indicated that many Americans viewed him as too old for another term. Ultimately, on July 21, 2024, Biden pivoted, backing former Vice President Kamala Harris for the candidacy.

Since leaving office, insights from various books about Biden’s administration have revealed deeper concerns. According to authors Jake Tupper and Alex Thompson, there were times when aides were so anxious about Biden’s mental state that suggestions were made for him to use a wheelchair post-election.