Annie Tomasini becomes third ex-Biden aide to invoke Fifth in House inquiry into alleged cover-up of Biden’s health.

Third Former Biden Official Invokes Fifth Amendment

A top former aide to Joe Biden has become the third ex-administration official to invoke the Fifth Amendment in a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, intensifying scrutiny of alleged efforts to conceal Biden’s health and handling of classified documents. Annie Tomasini, who served as deputy White House chief of staff, declined to answer investigators’ questions during her brief appearance on Capitol Hill Friday.

Tomasini’s invocation of the right against self-incrimination follows a pattern established by two other former Biden aides—ex-White House physician Kevin O’Connor and Anthony Bernal, a longtime advisor to Jill Biden—both of whom also pleaded the Fifth under subpoena. Tomasini was seen entering and leaving the committee room in less than an hour and did not respond to questions from reporters.

A source familiar with the proceedings said Tomasini refused to answer key questions, including whether Biden or his family ever instructed her to conceal the president’s health, destroy or hide classified materials, or cover up the Biden family’s business dealings. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., confirmed that she invoked the Fifth in a statement after the deposition, calling it “unbelievable that Ms. Tomasini and others refuse to answer basic questions about President Biden’s fitness to serve.”

Comer asserted, “There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy.” He added that the committee will “continue to pursue the truth and examine options to get the answers we need.” Tomasini’s deposition was staff-led, and she appeared under subpoena at her lawyer’s request after initially being scheduled for a voluntary interview.

Mounting Resistance as Probe Expands

Republicans on the committee are investigating claims that top Biden aides concealed signs of the president’s alleged cognitive and physical decline and authorized executive actions without his full knowledge. The inquiry also focuses on the handling of classified documents found at Biden’s home and office.

Biden allies have dismissed the investigation, characterizing it as a politically motivated attempt to damage the former president’s reputation. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Biden maintained, “I made every decision on my own.” A source close to the Biden team labeled the probe “dangerous” and an effort to “smear and embarrass.” The source added, “Their hope is for just one tiny inconsistency between witnesses to appear so that Trump’s DOJ prosecute his political opponents and continue his campaign of revenge.”

The committee has now questioned five ex-Biden aides in total, three of whom have invoked the Fifth Amendment under subpoena. The continued resistance underscores the deep partisan divide as the investigation presses forward, with Republicans vowing to seek accountability and Democrats condemning what they see as a politically driven campaign.

As the House Oversight Committee weighs next steps, the standoff over transparency and accountability is likely to intensify, with the inquiry’s outcome poised to shape the political narrative heading into the next election cycle.