Biden Aide Refuses to Answer Questions in House Probe!
A third former aide to President Joe Biden has invoked the Fifth Amendment, refusing to answer questions before the House Oversight Committee. Annie Tomasini, who served as Biden's deputy chief of staff, declined to answer questions regarding Biden's mental fitness and the use of an autopen during his time in office.
Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, expressed his frustration on X, stating that Tomasini invoked her Fifth Amendment rights when asked if Biden, his family, or anyone in the White House instructed her to lie about his health. She also reportedly avoided questions related to Biden's handling of classified documents.
The Fifth Amendment protects citizens from being compelled to testify against themselves in official proceedings. Tomasini is the third witness in this GOP-led investigation to invoke the Fifth Amendment, following Anthony Bernal, former chief of staff to First Lady Jill Biden, and Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's former White House physician.
Comer's Criticism
Comer criticized Tomasini's refusal to answer questions, stating, "It's unbelievable that Ms. Tomasini and others refuse to answer basic questions about President Biden's fitness to serve. It's apparent they would rather hide key information to protect themselves and Joe Biden than be truthful with the American people about this historic scandal."
Tomasini's lawyer provided a statement to the committee, explaining that she was asked to testify in connection with an investigation into the use of the autopen. The statement asserted that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Tomasini and that President Biden has already confirmed he made all decisions concerning clemency grants. However, this explanation has not quelled the concerns of Republican lawmakers.
Broader Implications
The investigation into Biden's mental acuity and use of the autopen has intensified in recent months, fueled by questions about his health and cognitive abilities detailed in several books and media reports. The invocation of the Fifth Amendment by multiple former aides raises further questions about the transparency and integrity of the former administration.