Anthony Bernal, ex-senior aide to Jill Biden, subpoenaed to testify in House inquiry on presidential fitness and White House actions.

House Committee Seeks Testimony in Presidential Fitness Inquiry

Anthony Bernal, the former assistant to the president and senior advisor to Jill Biden, has been formally subpoenaed to appear before the House Oversight Committee. The closed-door deposition is scheduled for July 16, following Bernal’s missed appearance at a previously agreed interview late last month.

Committee Chair James Comer issued the subpoena, requesting Bernal’s testimony as part of an ongoing investigation into the oversight of presidential fitness and the conduct of White House aides. In his letter, Comer cited the committee’s responsibility to assess whether Congress should revisit legislation concerning oversight of a president’s fitness to serve, in line with Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment or potential reforms to the amendment itself.

Bernal, who served as a fiercely loyal advisor and is described in political reporting as leader of the so-called “loyalty police,” is currently listed as Jill Biden’s chief of staff in the Transition Office of Former President Joe Biden. The outcome of his scheduled testimony remains uncertain until his arrival is confirmed in the House office building where the session is being held.

Ongoing Scrutiny Over White House Actions and Staff Roles

The committee’s inquiry, led by Comer, R-Ky., is focused on allegations that Biden’s former White House aides may have concealed evidence of the former president’s mental or physical decline. The investigation also seeks to determine whether any executive actions were authorized using autopen signatures, potentially without the president’s full awareness or direct involvement. Allies of Biden have rejected these claims, maintaining the integrity of the administration’s operations.

Bernal was originally slated to attend a voluntary interview last month, but his legal team reconsidered following the Trump administration’s decision to waive executive privilege for him and several other staffers. If Bernal complies, he will be the fourth former Biden aide to meet with House GOP investigators, joining Ashley Williams, who underwent a six-hour interview, and former Biden physician Kevin O’Connor, who invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer most questions.

Bernal’s deposition comes amid mounting political attention on the processes and protocols for determining presidential fitness. The committee’s findings could influence legislative proposals regarding the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, shaping how future administrations address questions of presidential oversight and succession.