Annie Tomasini, once deputy chief of staff to former President Joe Biden, clammed up during a House Oversight deposition, as NewsNation reports, invoking the Fifth Amendment like a cornered chess player refusing to move.
House Republicans, led by Rep. James Comer (R-KY) are probing claims that Biden’s team hid his mental decline, mishandled classified documents, and tangled with questionable family business deals. Tomasini’s 30-minute silence on Friday only fuels suspicions of a cover-up. The investigation’s scope cuts deep, targeting the former president’s fitness and his inner circle’s loyalty.
Tomasini, tight-lipped and guarded, dodged questions about Biden’s health, document handling, and family finances. Her refusal to engage echoes a troubling pattern among Biden’s aides. It’s as if the truth is a hot potato nobody wants to catch.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s White House physician, pulled the same move earlier this month, invoking his Fifth Amendment right and bolting from his deposition. The doctor’s swift exit left lawmakers grasping at straws. Comer’s committee is hitting a nerve.
Anthony Bernal, former chief of staff to Jill Biden, also played the Fifth card last week. His silence, like Tomasini’s and O’Connor’s, screams louder than any testimony could. If there’s nothing to hide, why the legal fortress?
“It’s unbelievable that Ms. Tomasini and others refuse to answer basic questions about President Biden’s fitness to serve,” Comer declared. His frustration is palpable, but stonewalling aides suggest a coordinated effort to shield Biden. The American people deserve answers, not legal dodges.
Both Comer and the White House are pointing fingers, claiming Biden’s staff orchestrated a cover-up of his mental decline late in his term. The accusation isn’t new, but the pattern of aides pleading the Fifth adds weight to it. It’s a scandal that smells worse than week-old fish.
Biden himself pushed back in a New York Times interview, insisting, “I made every decision.” His claim of full control sounds hollow when his closest aides won’t talk. If he was truly in charge, why the need for such secrecy?
The Oversight Committee isn’t slowing down, with four more depositions lined up in the coming months. Ian Sams, Andrew Bates, Karine Jean Pierre, and Jeff Zients -- all former Biden administration insiders -- are next on the hot seat. Will they break the silence or follow the Fifth Amendment script?
Tomasini’s deposition, though brief, was a masterclass in saying nothing. Lasting just 30 minutes, it was less a testimony and more a legal sidestep. Her refusal to engage only deepens public skepticism about Biden’s final days in office.
Bernal’s deposition last week followed the same playbook -- invoke the Fifth, exit stage left. His role as Jill Biden’s top aide makes his silence particularly glaring. If the first lady’s team is this tight-lipped, what’s being hidden?
O’Connor’s quick departure earlier this month set the tone for this evasive trio. As Biden’s physician, his knowledge of the former president’s health is critical. Yet, his Fifth Amendment plea suggests he’d rather face scrutiny than spill the beans.
Comer’s probe is a necessary push against what looks like a wall of obfuscation. “It’s apparent they would rather hide key information to protect themselves and Joe Biden,” he said. His words sting because they ring true -- silence isn’t a defense; it’s a tactic.
The upcoming depositions of Sams, Bates, Jean Pierre, and Zients could either crack the case or deepen the mystery. If they follow the same pattern, the public’s trust in Biden’s legacy will take another hit. Transparency shouldn’t be this hard to come by.
House Republicans are right to keep digging, even if it’s like pulling teeth. The American people aren’t asking for much -- just the truth about their former president’s fitness and his team’s actions. If Biden’s aides keep hiding behind the Fifth, they’re only proving Comer’s point.
