Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Joe Biden’s former physician, is dodging a House Oversight Committee subpoena, citing doctor-patient privilege, as the Associated Press reports.
The committee, probing Biden’s health and mental sharpness during his presidency, isn’t buying O’Connor’s delay tactics. Republicans, led by Rep. James Comer, first sought O’Connor’s testimony last July, only to be stonewalled by Biden’s White House. Now, with a renewed subpoena issued in June, O’Connor’s lawyer is scrambling to push the testimony to late July or early August.
David Schertler, O’Connor’s attorney, penned a letter to Comer, whining about protecting “substantial privilege” for Biden. That’s a fancy way of saying they’re hiding something. The Associated Press got hold of this letter, exposing the stall game.
Comer’s team isn’t swayed, arguing that physician-patient privilege under the American Medical Association’s code isn’t federal law. Schertler’s claim that O’Connor could lose his medical license for spilling the beans sounds like a desperate bluff. The committee insists its subpoena aligns with AMA rules, mandating doctors to share info when legally compelled.
Schertler called the committee’s stance “unprecedented” and “alarming,” as if Republicans are the ones playing fast and loose with ethics. Pot, meet kettle -- Biden’s camp has been ducking scrutiny for years. The Oversight Committee’s guidelines allow privilege claims on a question-by-question basis, with Comer ruling on each.
Republicans suspect some White House “autopen” policies -- automatic signatures on documents -- might be invalid if Biden was mentally unfit at times. Biden brushed off these claims as “ridiculous and false,” but his defensiveness raises eyebrows. If there’s nothing to hide, why the resistance?
The committee’s probe isn’t just about O’Connor; they’ve subpoenaed Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden’s former chief of staff. They’ve also requested testimony from nearly a dozen ex-Biden aides, including heavyweights like Ron Klain and Jeff Zients. The Trump White House, showing more transparency, waived executive privilege for almost 10 former Biden staffers, letting them talk freely.
Neera Tanden, Biden’s former domestic policy director, already gave voluntary testimony last month. That’s one less excuse for O’Connor to hide behind. The committee’s digging deep, and they’re not stopping until the truth comes out.
Comer’s June subpoena dismissed O’Connor’s privilege claims as baseless, pointing out that AMA ethics don’t override congressional authority. Schertler’s plea for accommodation reeks of delay for delay’s sake. If O’Connor’s so worried about his license, maybe he should’ve thought twice before serving a president under such scrutiny.
The Oversight Committee vows to publish a full report once their inquiry wraps up. That’s a win for Americans tired of Washington’s secrecy. Comer’s team is playing by House rules, ensuring witnesses can’t just dodge subpoenas with flimsy excuses.
Schertler’s letter, sent Saturday, shows O’Connor’s team is feeling the heat. His “privilege and confidentiality” argument might sound noble, but it’s a weak shield against a congressional mandate. The public deserves answers, not more stonewalling.
Biden’s White House blocked O’Connor’s testimony last year, proving they’re more interested in cover-ups than clarity. Now, with Comer doubling down, the pressure’s on. O’Connor’s delay request looks like a last-ditch effort to run out the clock.
Republicans aren’t just chasing headlines; they’re questioning whether Biden was fit to lead when key decisions were made. If mental incapacitation taints even one policy, the implications are massive. O’Connor’s testimony could blow the lid off -- or confirm Biden’s narrative.
The committee’s not backing down, and neither should taxpayers who footed the bill for Biden’s presidency. Schertler’s “alarming” label on the committee’s push is laughable when Biden’s team has dodged accountability at every turn. Transparency isn’t optional -- it’s owed.
As Comer’s probe tightens, O’Connor’s privilege play is crumbling. The House Oversight Committee’s report will either vindicate Biden or expose cracks in his administration’s foundation. Either way, Americans will finally get a glimpse behind the curtain.
