House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) requested on Sunday that White House physician Kevin O’Connor appear for an interview concerning President Joe Biden amid concerns about the commander in chief’s health after his shaky debate performance less than two weeks ago threw his re-election effort into dire straits.
Biden, 81, is facing a crisis of confidence among fellow Democrats after his recent face-off against former President Donald Trump as some members of the party are calling on Biden to drop his 2024 campaign, but the president and his team have been trying to reassure supporters that he is still capable of serving and running for a second term.
In a letter to O’Connor, a copy of which was obtained by The Daily Wire, Comer wrote that calls from medical professionals to have Biden undergo a cognitive test “grew stronger” after his face-off against former President Donald Trump, but The Washington Post reported over the weekend that O’Connor insisted the president does not need testing.
Comer also said that statements from Biden and his press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, about whether the president has been medically checked out since the debate “appear inconsistent” as the former reportedly said he was examined by a doctor while the latter told reporters that Biden has not been evaluated since his annual exam in February.
After noting how O’Connor has “repeatedly refused most interview requests from the media,” Comer wrote in the letter that his committee “now turns to you to provide answers regarding your independence because of the mixed and confused messaging coming from the White House regarding the President’s ability to perform his job.”
The letter additionally raised concerns about O’Connor’s “connections with the Biden family” given evidence suggesting the doctor provided the president’s brother James Biden counsel in connection with work for hospital firm Americore. James Biden testified the help came when O’Connor served as Joe Biden’s personal doctor when he was out of office.
Comer, who is already leading an impeachment investigation into President Biden and his family over potential influence-peddling schemes, noted how James Biden received hundreds of thousands of dollars in what has been characterized as “loans” from Americore and he wrote a $200,000 check to his brother for a so-called “loan repayment.”
“Given your connections with the Biden family,” Comer wrote, “the Committee also seeks to understand if you are in a position to provide accurate and independent reviews of the President’s fitness to serve.” The GOP-led panel wants to “understand the extent of your involvement in the Biden family’s financial activity,” Comer added in his letter.
Comer requested O’Connor “produce all documents and communications in your possession regarding Americore and James Biden.” He went on, “Additionally, the Committee requests you make yourself available for a transcribed interview with Committee counsel.” The chairman asked that O’Connor contact staff by July 14 to schedule an interview.
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