Biden’s ex-physician pleads the Fifth before House committee, citing medical ethics as GOP presses cover-up claims.

Biden’s Former Doctor Refuses to Testify in Closed-Door Interview

President Joe Biden’s former White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, offering no new information about his time caring for Biden. The session, which lasted less than an hour, ended abruptly after O’Connor declined to answer key questions, including whether he was ever asked to lie about Biden’s health or if he believed the president was unfit for office.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., described O’Connor’s silence as “unprecedented” and said it raised new suspicions of a cover-up. “Most people invoke the Fifth when they have criminal liability. And so that's what would appear on the surface here,” Comer told reporters after the meeting. Comer indicated that the investigation would move forward, vowing to bring in additional witnesses and be transparent with the public.

Physician Cites Confidentiality and Ongoing DOJ Probe

O’Connor’s lawyers defended his use of the Fifth Amendment, insisting it was not an admission of guilt but a necessary response to what they called an unprecedented investigatory scope. They argued that forcing O’Connor to disclose confidential information about President Biden’s health would violate the long-established patient-physician privilege, potentially costing him his medical license and exposing him to civil liability. “Dr. O’Connor will not violate his oath of confidentiality to any of his patients, including President Biden,” his legal team stated.

The lawyers also called for the committee’s investigation to be paused while a parallel Department of Justice (DOJ) inquiry is underway, warning that any revelations could interfere with the federal probe. Despite these objections, Comer dismissed the request, accusing O’Connor and his attorneys of using every possible excuse to avoid testifying about Biden’s health and alleged cognitive decline.

Unlike a previous hours-long interview with ex-Biden aide Neera Tanden, O’Connor’s deposition ended after just thirty minutes, with the doctor and his lawyers exiting quickly and refusing to comment further. Video released by the Oversight Committee showed O’Connor invoking the Fifth for all questions beyond basic identification.

Political Tensions Escalate as Probe Continues

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who made a surprise appearance at the interview, pushed back on the notion that invoking the Fifth implied guilt. Drawing on her experience as a criminal defense attorney, Crockett argued that the Fifth Amendment is a fundamental constitutional right and warned against drawing premature conclusions. “It’s kind of astounding to hear someone say, if you invoke the Fifth Amendment, that is only because you are guilty,” Crockett said.

As the House Oversight Committee presses forward, the episode underscores the deepening partisan rift over Biden’s health and transparency in the executive branch. While Comer and Republican allies promise further depositions and a relentless pursuit of the truth, Biden supporters and legal experts warn that the standoff is as much about political spectacle as it is about accountability.