Two senior aides from President Biden’s administration, Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon, are scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee this week. This inquiry, led by Republican representatives, focuses on allegations regarding President Biden’s cognitive health and whether there have been efforts to conceal any perceived decline from the public. Ricchetti is set to appear on Wednesday, while Donilon’s interview is scheduled for Thursday.
Both aides have indicated their willingness to participate voluntarily in the interviews, differing from several previous witnesses who have been compelled to attend through subpoenas. As of Tuesday afternoon, the committee had not needed to issue any such legal mandates for Ricchetti or Donilon.
The House Oversight Committee’s investigation has faced challenges, as several aides of President Biden have declined to cooperate. In earlier sessions, aides including Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who served as the White House physician, and Anthony Bernal, a former assistant to the president, invoked their Fifth Amendment rights in response to the committee’s questions. This constitutional right is often used to avoid self-incrimination and, while it may be perceived negatively by the public, it is a longstanding legal protection in the United States.
In contrast, some former aides have participated in interviews with the committee. For instance, Ron Klain, the former White House chief of staff, shared insights during his testimony. He revealed that Hillary Clinton expressed concerns in 2023 regarding how the Biden campaign was handling issues related to the president’s age. Klain also mentioned that national security adviser Jake Sullivan remarked post-debate in 2024 that Biden was not as effective as he had once been, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Klain maintained confidence in Biden’s cognitive abilities, asserting that he saw no reason to doubt the president’s mental acuity. Clinton’s spokesperson did not dispute Klain’s account, clarifying that her concerns were focused on the political management of Biden’s age amid ongoing scrutiny.
Several other former aides have also voluntarily provided testimony. Neera Tanden, the former Director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Ashley Williams, a former special assistant, participated in transcribed interviews. During her session, Williams expressed her belief that Biden was in command during the debate and remained fit for the presidency. However, she often replied with “I do not recall” to numerous questions, including ones about the use of teleprompters during Cabinet meetings and discussions regarding Biden’s physical or mental health.
The committee is expected to continue its investigation with additional testimonies from high-level aides in the coming weeks. Former deputy chief of staff for policy Bruce Reed is set to testify on Tuesday, followed by former communications adviser Anita Dunn on Thursday. Upcoming testimonies also include Ian Sams, Andrew Bates, Karine Jean-Pierre, and Jeff Zients throughout September.
The ongoing investigation reflects a significant political scrutiny surrounding President Biden’s health amid his campaign for reelection. As these interviews unfold, the implications for the administration and the president’s future will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics alike.
