Anthony Bernal Won’t Testify
Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to former First Lady Jill Biden, is refusing to testify before the House Oversight Committee despite the White House formally waiving executive privilege in his case. The refusal has sparked immediate backlash from congressional Republicans, who are investigating what they allege is a coordinated cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline.
Bernal, often referred to as Jill Biden’s “work husband” due to his close proximity and influence in the East Wing, was scheduled to provide testimony related to his knowledge of internal White House decisions and communications during the final two years of the Biden presidency. The Oversight Committee announced on Wednesday that Bernal had declined the invitation, accusing him of obstructing Congress.
🚨 BREAKING: Jill Biden’s longtime aide Anthony Bernal is DEFYING Congress and REFUSING to testify tomorrow about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline after the White House waived his executive privilege.
He’s running scared. The cover-up is collapsing. We will subpoena him… pic.twitter.com/k5dUYeYEaX
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) June 25, 2025
“He’s running scared,” the Committee posted on X. “The cover-up is collapsing. We will subpoena him immediately.”
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) confirmed that a subpoena is forthcoming. “Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal never intended to be transparent,” Comer said. “With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now desperate to bury the truth. The American people deserve answers and accountability.”
The development comes as the Committee continues its investigation into Biden’s health and alleged internal decision-making irregularities. On Tuesday, the Committee heard testimony from Neera Tanden, former staff secretary and later Domestic Policy Council director. Under oath, Tanden acknowledged that she had control of the president’s autopen — a mechanical signature tool — for nearly two years. She stated that she followed a system “inherited from prior administrations” and denied any manipulation.
Tanden testified that she had minimal direct contact with former President Biden and processed documents through a chain of approval involving other senior staff. Comer noted that her testimony casts doubt on who was truly exercising executive authority during Biden’s tenure.
Comer on Anthony Bernal, former Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to Jill Biden, now refusing to appear for a transcribed interview about Biden’s cognitive abilities: ow that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal –…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 25, 2025
“Her testimony raises serious questions about who was really calling the shots in the Biden White House amid the President’s obvious decline,” Comer said.
Tanden’s control of the autopen, from October 2021 to May 2023, overlaps with growing concerns over the president’s mental acuity. She was succeeded by Annie Tomasini, who is also expected to testify in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, questions persist about whether Biden himself was directly involved in key executive decisions. Among the actions now under scrutiny are last-minute clemency decisions, including the commutation of 37 death row sentences and sweeping preemptive pardons issued to members of his family.