Bernal Declines to Answer Questions During Deposition

During a recent deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Anthony Bernal, who previously served as Jill Biden’s Chief of Staff, invoked the Fifth Amendment multiple times, according to Chairman James Comer.

Comer shared on X that Bernal, a long-time advisor to the former First Lady, chose not to respond to questions posed by lawmakers. He mentioned that a recent report revealed President Biden’s aide may have engaged in questionable enforcement actions during his presidency, suggesting this could be linked to Biden’s cognitive decline. “It’s not surprising that Anthony Bernal is using the Fifth Amendment to shield himself from potential criminal charges,” Comer noted.

“In today’s deposition, when asked if unelected officials performed presidential duties or if Biden directed him to misrepresent his health, Bernal again invoked the Fifth,” Comer continued. “This represents a significant scandal, and the American people deserve transparency. We are committed to uncovering the truth and exploring avenues for obtaining the answers required.”

Previously, Bernal declined to participate in a scheduled interview on June 26, which is part of the broader investigation into the president’s use of autopens and other alleged activities involving the staff of former President Biden. Comer had summoned him following his absence from that interview.

Bernal’s refusal to answer questions comes shortly after former Biden physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, similarly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a hearing. Additionally, David Hogg, former vice-chairman of the DNC, recently stated that Bernal held considerable sway within the Biden administration, describing the situation as indicative of an inner circle with significant influence.