Anthony Bernal, the top aide to former US first lady Jill Biden, abruptly withdrew from his scheduled interview with the House Oversight Committee which is probing the alleged cognitive decline as US president of her spouse, Joe Biden.
Bernal's refusal to appear - his interview was scheduled for Thursday - was condemned by Oversight chairman James Comer of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party. Earlier this month, Trump ordered an investigation into the "decline" in Biden's mental fitness.
“Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal – Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’ – never intended to be transparent about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up,. With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and the Oversight Committee will not tolerate this obstruction," Comer said in an Oversight Committee statement, adding that he will issue a subpoena (summons) to compel Bernal to appear before the panel.
The statement also noted that following the White House's decision, Bernal's legal team informed the committee would not appear for the interview, having previously confirmed he would.
He is among nine former Joe Biden staffers whose executive privilege was revoked by the White House - this means that they will have to answer the Oversight panel's questions about their private conversations with Biden, unless they or the Democrat himself try to challenge the decision in court.
However, people close to Bernal said he has only requested that his testimony be rescheduled.
"Calling this a 'refusal' is misleading, when there was simply a request to reschedule the interview," they told US website Axios.
Bernal's refusal to appear - his interview was scheduled for Thursday - was condemned by Oversight chairman James Comer of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party. Earlier this month, Trump ordered an investigation into the "decline" in Biden's mental fitness.
“Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal – Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’ – never intended to be transparent about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up,. With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and the Oversight Committee will not tolerate this obstruction," Comer said in an Oversight Committee statement, adding that he will issue a subpoena (summons) to compel Bernal to appear before the panel.
The statement also noted that following the White House's decision, Bernal's legal team informed the committee would not appear for the interview, having previously confirmed he would.
He is among nine former Joe Biden staffers whose executive privilege was revoked by the White House - this means that they will have to answer the Oversight panel's questions about their private conversations with Biden, unless they or the Democrat himself try to challenge the decision in court.
However, people close to Bernal said he has only requested that his testimony be rescheduled.
"Calling this a 'refusal' is misleading, when there was simply a request to reschedule the interview," they told US website Axios.
You may also like
Mumbai Guide: Historic Monuments Around City That Every Mumbaikar Should Know About
SSC CGL Exam Tips: Understand the weightage of subjects, make a strategy and get success; This is how to prepare for CGL exam..
Mixed Disability Series: India Register Thrilling 2-wicket Win Over England At Lord's
Sunjay Kapur Created 10-Year-Plan Months Before Death, Was 'Clear' About What He Wanted To Do In Life
Foxconn bets big on India as global tech giants diversify supply chains
