Latest news with #BidenProbe
CNN
09-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Biden's physician refuses to answer questions from Republicans in House probe of former president's mental fitness
Joe Biden's White House physician on Wednesday declined to answer questions during a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right as the Republican-led panel pushes forward in its probe of the former president's mental fitness and decline. While Dr. Kevin O'Connor appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday, his attorneys said he 'respectfully declined to answer any questions' from the panel, which had refused to limit the scope of the interview – imperiling, they said, his physician-patient privilege. 'Revealing confidential patient information would violate the most fundamental ethical duty of a physician, could result in revocation of Dr. O'Connor's medical license, and would subject Dr. O'Connor to potential civil liability. Dr. O'Connor will not violate his oath of confidentiality to any of his patients, including President Biden,' O'Connor's attorneys said in a statement on his behalf. The investigation is the latest front in the GOP push to expose alleged cover-ups by Biden and his inner circle that had fallen dormant in the last Congress. Republicans say the interviews are critical to supporting claims of the former president's cognitive decline in the final days of his administration. Democrats, meanwhile, have dismissed the probe in its entirety as a political stunt. The panel subpoenaed O'Connor in June after first seeking a voluntary interview, and has requested interviews with nearly a dozen former White House aides in recent months. But the interviews, which began as voluntary appearances, have grown increasingly contentious after President Donald Trump waived executive privilege for the physician and others. O'Connor's team on Wednesday argued the panel should pause its probe until the Department of Justice concludes its separate criminal investigation into his predecessor's actions and use of the autopen, which Trump had ordered in a memorandum. 'We believe that the Committee should hold its investigation in abeyance until any criminal investigation has concluded,' O'Connor's team said. A committee aide pushed back on the notion that O'Connor pleaded the Fifth Amendment because of doctor-patient privilege, arguing the physician did not answer any questions beyond his name. Invoking the Fifth Amendment is typically done to avoid answering specific questions. Though it can be perceived by the public as a way of avoiding accountability, the US Supreme Court has long regarded the right against self-incrimination as a venerable part of the Constitution and, in legal proceedings, tried to ensure that a witness' silence not be viewed as evidence of guilt. Following O'Connor's departure, House Oversight Chair James Comer accused the doctor of wanting to 'conceal the truth.' 'The American people demand transparency, but Dr. O'Connor would rather conceal the truth. Dr. O'Connor took the Fifth when asked if he was told to lie about President Biden's health and whether he was fit to be President of the United States,' the Kentucky Republican said in a statement. The committee still has multiple interviews scheduled throughout the summer. Unable to invoke executive privilege to avoid answering questions, some witnesses have already sought to stave them off. Former Biden aide Anthony Bernal withdrew from a voluntary interview last month after the White House counsel's office made clear that privilege would be waived. Comer then subpoenaed Bernal for his testimony. At least one interview has already led to a dispute over testimony. Comer claimed that Neera Tanden, Biden's director of the Domestic Policy Council, told the committee during her voluntary closed-door interview last month that she had 'no visibility' into how the approval for Biden's autopen signatures worked – a point that Republicans have latched onto. A Democratic committee official, however, swiftly pushed back on that characterization, saying that Tanden 'repeatedly and explicitly confirmed that she received President Biden's written sign-off on every executive action she presented him with.' 'Any other characterization is a distortion of the testimony,' the official told CNN at the time. Interview transcripts from Tanden's appearance have not yet been released. The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, criticized the Republican effort, saying the GOP is more concerned with the former president's health than their constituents' access to health care. 'The only person's health that Republicans care about is Joe Biden's – even as 17 million Americans lose access to affordable health care thanks to their big budget betrayal,' Garcia said in a statement. One Biden ally accused Republicans of playing politics with the congressional inquiry. 'It's an attempt to smear and embarrass. And their hope is for just one tiny inconsistency between witnesses to appear so that Trump's DOJ can prosecute his political opponents and continue his campaign of revenge,' the person told CNN.
CNN
09-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Biden's physician refuses to answer questions from Republicans in House probe of former president's mental fitness
Joe Biden's White House physician on Wednesday declined to answer questions during a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right as the Republican-led panel pushes forward in its probe of the former president's mental fitness and decline. While Dr. Kevin O'Connor appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday, his attorneys said he 'respectfully declined to answer any questions' from the panel, which had refused to limit the scope of the interview – imperiling, they said, his physician-patient privilege. 'Revealing confidential patient information would violate the most fundamental ethical duty of a physician, could result in revocation of Dr. O'Connor's medical license, and would subject Dr. O'Connor to potential civil liability. Dr. O'Connor will not violate his oath of confidentiality to any of his patients, including President Biden,' O'Connor's attorneys said in a statement on his behalf. The investigation is the latest front in the GOP push to expose alleged cover-ups by Biden and his inner circle that had fallen dormant in the last Congress. Republicans say the interviews are critical to supporting claims of the former president's cognitive decline in the final days of his administration. Democrats, meanwhile, have dismissed the probe in its entirety as a political stunt. The panel subpoenaed O'Connor in June after first seeking a voluntary interview, and has requested interviews with nearly a dozen former White House aides in recent months. But the interviews, which began as voluntary appearances, have grown increasingly contentious after President Donald Trump waived executive privilege for the physician and others. O'Connor's team on Wednesday argued the panel should pause its probe until the Department of Justice concludes its separate criminal investigation into his predecessor's actions and use of the autopen, which Trump had ordered in a memorandum. 'We believe that the Committee should hold its investigation in abeyance until any criminal investigation has concluded,' O'Connor's team said. A committee aide pushed back on the notion that O'Connor pleaded the Fifth Amendment because of doctor-patient privilege, arguing the physician did not answer any questions beyond his name. Invoking the Fifth Amendment is typically done to avoid answering specific questions. Though it can be perceived by the public as a way of avoiding accountability, the US Supreme Court has long regarded the right against self-incrimination as a venerable part of the Constitution and, in legal proceedings, tried to ensure that a witness' silence not be viewed as evidence of guilt. Following O'Connor's departure, House Oversight Chair James Comer accused the doctor of wanting to 'conceal the truth.' 'The American people demand transparency, but Dr. O'Connor would rather conceal the truth. Dr. O'Connor took the Fifth when asked if he was told to lie about President Biden's health and whether he was fit to be President of the United States,' the Kentucky Republican said in a statement. The committee still has multiple interviews scheduled throughout the summer. Unable to invoke executive privilege to avoid answering questions, some witnesses have already sought to stave them off. Former Biden aide Anthony Bernal withdrew from a voluntary interview last month after the White House counsel's office made clear that privilege would be waived. Comer then subpoenaed Bernal for his testimony. At least one interview has already led to a dispute over testimony. Comer claimed that Neera Tanden, Biden's director of the Domestic Policy Council, told the committee during her voluntary closed-door interview last month that she had 'no visibility' into how the approval for Biden's autopen signatures worked – a point that Republicans have latched onto. A Democratic committee official, however, swiftly pushed back on that characterization, saying that Tanden 'repeatedly and explicitly confirmed that she received President Biden's written sign-off on every executive action she presented him with.' 'Any other characterization is a distortion of the testimony,' the official told CNN at the time. Interview transcripts from Tanden's appearance have not yet been released. The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, criticized the Republican effort, saying the GOP is more concerned with the former president's health than their constituents' access to health care. 'The only person's health that Republicans care about is Joe Biden's – even as 17 million Americans lose access to affordable health care thanks to their big budget betrayal,' Garcia said in a statement. One Biden ally accused Republicans of playing politics with the congressional inquiry. 'It's an attempt to smear and embarrass. And their hope is for just one tiny inconsistency between witnesses to appear so that Trump's DOJ can prosecute his political opponents and continue his campaign of revenge,' the person told CNN.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Says He And Elon Musk 'Had A Great Relationship' But 'I Don't Know If We Will Anymore'
Donald Trump made his first comments about Elon Musk since his billionaire ally went on a tirade about the president's chief legislative effort, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 'Elon and I have a great relationship,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. 'I don't know if we will anymore. I was surprised, because you were here, everyone in this room practically was here as we had a wonderful sendoff. He said wonderful things about me.' More from Deadline Paramount Will Be A "Melting Ice Cube" If Trump Dooms Skydance Deal, Ex-FCC Commissioner Rob McDowell Says - But Even A 2-Member Agency Could Still Approve It Trump Administration To Rebrand Biden-Era Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute, Commerce Secretary Says At AI Honors: "We're Not Going To Regulate It" Trump Launches Punitive Biden Probe, New Travel Bans, But Still Silent On Elon Musk's "Kill Bill" Attack On Agenda Trump's comments came as Musk, in the past 48 hours, has railed against Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' warning that it would bankrupt the United States. Despite efforts by White House officials to point out where think Musk is wrong, he has not stopped his criticisms on X. The president appeared with Musk just last Friday, as the billionaire departed his official role as a special government employee. Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which slashed federal agencies and fired hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Trump said that Musk 'knew the inner workings' of the bill, and 'never had a problem until right after he left.' 'I'm very disappointed in Elon,' Trump said. 'I think he misses the place,' he said. Just before Trump spoke to reporters, Musk posted one of Trump's past tweets from 2012, in which he wrote, 'No member of Congress should be eligible for re-election if our country's budget is not balanced—deficits not allowed!' 'I couldn't agree more!' Musk wrote. Musk's broadside against the legislation has threatened the fragile coalition of GOP lawmakers in the House, who passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by one vote last month. The Senate is now taking up the legislation. Musk has called for a 'slim beautiful bill,' as the current legislation encompassed tax cuts, border security funding and defense all in one massive piece of legislation. Trump suggested that Musk's opposition was motivated by the fact that the legislation removes an electric vehicle mandate, which provided subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles. That is beneficial to Musk's Tesla. 'Elon knew this from the beginning,' Trump said, referring to his opposition to the subsidies. As cable networks carried Trump's remarks, Musk seemed to offer a response. 'Whatever. Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill. In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this! Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill. Slim and beautiful is the way.' The president also suggested that Musk was upset that Trump ended the nomination of Jared Isaacman, an ally of the billionaire, to serve as NASA administrator. Trump said that it was because Isaacman 'happened to be a Democrat,' something that he did not think was 'appropriate.' Best of Deadline 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Condemns Israel After IDF Soldiers Strip-Searched & Detained Journalists At Gunpoint
The BBC has revealed that three of its journalists were detained at gunpoint by the Israel Defense Forces while they were reporting in southern Syria. The BBC said the incident, which took place on May 9, was 'wholly unacceptable' and it has made a complaint to Israeli authorities. The UK national broadcaster said it is yet to receive a response. Deadline has contacted the Israeli military for comment. More from Deadline BBC & RTÉ Order Two Seasons Of Aidan Gillen-Starring Comedy Crime Drama 'Tall Tales & Murder' From Chris Addison & Stuart Carolan Trump Launches Punitive Biden Probe, New Travel Bans, But Still Silent On Elon Musk's "Kill Bill" Attack On Agenda BBC Defends Itself & Calls For "Support" From White House After Donald Trump Administration Accuses Broadcaster Of Taking Down Gaza Story BBC News Arabic correspondent Feras Kilani, a British citizen, was among the seven people held. Two other Iraqi BBC staff were part of the group, as well as three Syrian freelancers. They were in Syria to report on the demilitarised buffer zone seized by Israel following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Kilani described how they were apprehended by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near Quneitra city and detained for seven hours. In a piece on the BBC News website, he recalled how he was strip-searched and grilled about his children and their ages. He recalled a gun being pointed at his head. 'I was in shock. I asked why they were doing this when they knew we were a BBC crew,' he said. '[The lead officer] said he wanted to help get us out quickly and that we had to comply with their instructions.' Kilani said his colleagues were tied up and blindfolded, describing it as a 'horrific scene.' They were also taken to a room to be strip-searched and questioned. Kilani added that their phones and laptops were examined, and photos were deleted. He claimed they were told there would be 'worse consequences' if they approached the area again. In a statement, the BBC said: 'The BBC strongly objects to the treatment of our staff and freelancers in this way. Despite making clear to the soldiers on multiple occasions they were working for the BBC, the behaviour they were subjected to is wholly unacceptable.' Best of Deadline 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Comer May Drag Biden Before Committee on Cognitive Cover-Up
The GOP-led probe into the alleged 'cover-up' of Joe Biden's cognitive decline may soon ensnare the former president himself. Kentucky Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he would be 'open to' bringing the former president to testify before the committee. On Wednesday's edition of his eponymous show, Hannity, the host expressed doubts about whether it would be worthwhile to interview the president given his cognitive state. 'I would have to argue, probably not,' Hannity said. 'We're going to see who was giving the directive to sign these,' Comer said, referring to Biden's use of an autopen. Comer has alleged that Biden's use of an autopen is evidence of his cognitive decline. 'If everyone says it was Joe Biden, then I'm certainly open to bring him in,' he added. Comer first announced the committee would investigate what he called a 'cover-up' of the president's mental state earlier this month after a flurry of reports alleged Biden had shown signs of cognitive and physical decline both during and before the 2024 presidential campaign. Since beginning the probe, Comer has frequently taken issue with Biden's use of an autopen to sign pardons and other executive documents in the final months of his term. Autopens—machines that recreate signatures on a person's behalf—are not illegal and were used by former President Barack Obama before Biden took office. Comer told Hannity earlier this month that Biden's 'heavy use of the autopen' was evidence the president 'wasn't capable of making decisions.' Beyond Biden himself, Comer said he'd consider interviewing Biden's immediate family, including wife Jill and son Hunter Biden. The committee is currently focused on questioning members of the former president's staff, including the three former staffers and the former director of Biden's Domestic Policy Council. Comer told Hannity that Biden's former chief of staff, Ron Klain, is a 'very good bet' when it comes to who else the committee will tap for questioning. Comer launched the 2025 probe shortly after Axios published an audio clip in which the president appeared to struggle to recall dates and other information while answering questions in a 2023 special counsel interview about classified documents that he'd stored at his private home. However, Comer had expressed interest in investigating Biden's alleged 'cover-up' long before the Axios clip surfaced. In July 2024, just one week before Biden dropped out of the presidential election, Comer subpoenaed three of the president's staffers, whom he alleged had created a 'protective bubble' to conceal his cognitive state from the public. The staffers never testified, and Comer later said the White House had 'obstructed' and 'defied' his subpoenas. He has since requested transcribed statements from them as part of the new probe. After submitting the subpoenas in July, Comer wrote in a press release that 'President Biden is clearly unfit for office, yet his staff are trying to hide the truth from the American people.' The committee has also requested a transcribed statement from Biden's physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor. Comer told Hannity he believed O'Connor was 'definitely not telling the truth about Joe Biden's health.' Because a fellow Republican, Texas Representative Ronny Jackson, previously served as White House physician under presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Comer says Jackson will advise the committee on questions to ask of O'Connor.
