Latest news with #Comer
Axios
5 days ago
- Health
- Axios
House GOP expands probe into Biden's health
House Republicans are seeking to hear from several top Biden White House officials, including former Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and former Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, as part of their investigation into the ex-president's health. Why it matters: House Oversight Chairman Jim Comer 's move to expand the GOP probe into Biden's health — spurred in part by revelations from Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper's new book, " Original Sin — comes a year to the date after former President Biden's disastrous debate performance. Comer (R-Ky.) is sending letters Friday to former White House spokesmen Ian Sams and Andrew Bates — along with Zients and Jean-Pierre — demanding they appear before the panel for transcribed interviews. "As part of our aggressive investigation into the cover-up of his cognitive decline and potentially unauthorized executive actions, we must hear from the those who aided and abetted this farce," Comer said in a statement. The big picture: In their book, Thompson and Tapper implicate what they dub Biden's "politburo" in a coordinated campaign to hide details of Biden's deteriorating health from public view. Biden's spokespeople have pushed back on the claim that there was a cover-up around his health, arguing that he was mentally and physically capable of serving as president through the end of his term.
UPI
6 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
GOP's Comer subpoenas Jill Biden aide in panel's probe of Joe Biden's mental health
1 of 3 | Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., on Thursday issued a subpoena to a former Jill Biden aide in his panel's probe into Joe Biden's mental health. File Photo (2024) by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- Republican House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer on Thursday issued a subpoena to a former Jill Biden aide in his panel's probe into Joe Biden's mental health. The subpoena targeted Anthony Bernal, a former assistant to the president and senior adviser to the former first lady, calling for him to appear for a deposition on July 16 as part of Comer's probe into what his press announcement called "the cover-up of President Joe Biden's mental decline and potentially unauthorized executive actions." Comer's announcement on the subpoena said Bernal was reportedly so close to the former first lady that he was referred to as her "work husband." A day earlier, Bernal had notified Comer's panel that he would not take part in its requested interview. Comer on Thursday said that Bernal previously had confirmed that he would appear "for a voluntary transcribed interview" on Thursday. However, Comer said, the White House Counsel's office informed Bernal that it was waiving executive privilege for the committee's investigation. At that, Bernal refused to appear. In a subpoena cover letter, Comer said, in part, to Bernal that "the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requested that you -- because of your role as a senior aide to former President Joe Biden -- appear for a transcribed interview on June 11, 2025, broadly regarding 'the extent of your influence over the former President and your knowledge of whether the former President was personally discharging the duties of his office.' "Given your close connection with both former President Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden, the Committee sought to understand if you contributed to an effort to hide former President Biden's fitness to serve from the American people," the letter continued. "You have refused the Committee's request. However, to advance the Committee's oversight and legislative responsibilities and interests, your testimony is critical. Accordingly, please see the attached subpoena for testimony at a deposition on July 16, 2025." Bernal was one of the sources cited in Jake Tapper's book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. That book also has been referenced by Comer in his panel's investigation into Joe Biden's mental health. In May, Comer announced his investigation, citing general concerns about Biden's age and mental capacity after the president's troubled performances and missteps on the campaign trail, which eventually resulted in Joe Biden withdrawing from his presidential run. Comer's investigation also launched as renewed interest in Biden's health erupted after the former president announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into Joe Biden's cognitive state, alleging that White House aides covered up his mental decline.
24-06-2025
- Politics
Former aide Tanden appears before House committee investigating Biden's mental acuity
The House Oversight Committee's first closed-door transcribed meeting investigating former President Joe Biden's mental acuity began Tuesday with former White House Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tanden appearing for questioning on Capitol Hill. Committee Chairman James Comer is investigating Biden's health and mental 'decline," as well as the use of an autopen for pardons and other executive actions. 'This is the first of what will be many interviews with people we believe were involved in the autopen scandal in the Biden administration,' Comer told reporters Tuesday morning. 'I think the American people want to know, I think there's a huge level of curiosity in the press corps [with] respect to who was actually calling the shots in the Biden administration.' Following the introductory portion of the meeting, Comer said Republicans wrapped a 'good hour,' while Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., called it an 'extraordinary waste of time.' Tanden was nominated by Biden to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget but ultimately withdrew her nomination after facing a bruising confirmation battle and bipartisan criticism over her past tweets that attacked members of Congress. In addition to Tanden, additional former Biden senior aides are expected to sit down for interviews in the coming weeks without being subpoenaed, including Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams and Annie Tomasini. Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the former White House physician for Biden, will appear under subpoena before the committee for a closed, transcribed interview on July 9, a source familiar with the committee's plans told ABC News.
Indianapolis Star
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana's top volleyball 2027 recruit commits to Final Four program: 'This is where I belong'
Carsyn Comer was ready to commit on the spot. It was June 15, the first day college coaches were permitted to contact high school juniors and the Westfield middle hitter's first video call of the day was with Louisville volleyball coach Dan Meske. Comer has been following the Cardinals since she first started watching college volleyball. They were her first love, she said, recalling the team's Sweet 16 run inside the Omaha bubble in 2020, and the 32-1 Final Four run and 31-3 national runner-up finish that followed. "I loved the campus, the coaching staff and the amazing environment and culture when I was at their camps," Comer told IndyStar on Thursday morning. Insider: State's top 2026 volleyball recruit remains committed despite coaching change Insider: Volleyball state finals return to Indy felt inevitable. Reaction is nearly all positive Comer branded Louisville as her "dream school," so when Meske offered her a scholarship, Comer was ready to cancel the rest of her calls and end her recruitment right there. But her parents didn't want her to make any rash decisions and neither did Meske, who encouraged her to take the other calls and promised the offer would still be good in a few days. There were a few other schools Comer may have considered, she said, but they either never reached out or, in Penn State's case, the coaches contacted her to let her know they had signed another middle. "That was another sign of like, 'OK, this is where I belong,'" she said. Comer completed the rest of her calls Sunday then committed to Louisville later that same day, choosing the Cardinals over Michigan State, Creighton and Purdue. "Getting that offer from Louisville right away showed they really wanted me," she said. "This is where I want to be." College coaches first began scouting Comer late in her 14s club season, then after attending a number of camps last summer, her recruitment really took off. The rising standout assumed the coaches were scouting someone else when they first started attending her matches, but as more and more kept stopping by, she realized she was actually one of the primary draws. "That was really crazy," she said. "Like, 'Wow, some of these colleges are actually interested in me.'" The high-interest in Comer is certainly warranted. Ranked 22nd nationally and No. 1 in the state by Prep Dig, the 6-3 middle built off a strong freshman campaign in 2024, totaling 79 solo blocks (103 total), 293 kills (.445 hitting percentage), 124 digs and 37 aces. She has nearly 500 career kills and over 170 career blocks (130 solo). Comer described herself as a very offensive-minded middle and is focused this summer on improving her blocking, reading the setter and hastening her reaction time, even if it's just getting her hands to get a touch and not a stuff block. "As you get older, the game gets faster, but sometimes in high school, it can be a little slower depending on who you're playing," she explained. "I want to implement those things at a slower pace than what I'm going to experience, so I can slowly build it back up for club then college." With respect to Louisville, Comer said Meske talked with her during that initial call about some of the things he noticed with her blocking and explained how they would help her improve it and stylize it to better fit their system in a couple years. Meske also told Comer he wants to have four middles within the program and while she still has two more years of high school to develop, it's likely none of the four middles her freshman year will be returning starters, so everyone will have a chance to compete for one of the top two spots. "I really trust Dan and know he's going to do amazing things with this program," Comer said of Meske, who was hired to replace Dani Busboom Kelly in February. "He's such a good coach. He's super transparent with all his players and he works to get you where you need to be. He has a plan for everything."
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kenneth Branagh praises Jodie Comer, draws comparison to young Meryl Streep
Director Kenneth Branagh has heaped praise on actress Jodie Comer , likening her to a young Meryl Streep after working together on their upcoming psychological thriller, 'The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde'. Branagh expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Comer, highlighting her talent and potential. "I consider myself fortunate to have worked with her at this stage in her career," Branagh said in an interview, as quoted by Deadline. He further elaborated on Comer's abilities, quoting a phrase once used to describe the young Meryl Streep: "As somebody once said of the young Streep, 'I wish I had shares in her future.'" Comer reacted graciously to Branagh's praise, describing him as "very kind." When asked about the comparison to Meryl Streep, Comer humbly downplayed the similarity, saying, "Oh, me? I'm nothing like Meryl! I'm just a girl from Liverpool!" 'The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde' is a contemporary psychological thriller written and directed by Branagh. The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Patricia Arquette , Michael Sheen , and Tom Bateman , among others. While the logline is being kept under wraps, the film's release is eagerly anticipated. Comer has been making waves in the film industry with her recent roles, including her portrayal of a character in Danny Boyle 's zombie sequel '28 Years Later'.
