Anthony Bernal Invokes Fifth Amendment Repeatedly During House Deposition, Is Excused

Anthony Bernal, a former White House aide who served as assistant to the president and chief of staff to the first lady, appeared for a deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 11, 2025, and repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when asked about President Joe Biden's fitness for office and other matters. The committee excused Bernal after determining he intended to decline to answer further questions under advice of counsel.

The deposition was convened under the committee's authority pursuant to House Rule 10, which the committee staff cited at the start of the session. Jake Greenberg, chief counsel for investigations for Chairman James Comer, told the witness the committee had noticed the deposition on July 11, 2025, and had issued a subpoena on June 26, 2025, after a voluntary interview originally scheduled for June 26 was canceled.

Why it matters: The committee is investigating allegations raised by its majority about President Biden's mental and physical fitness, the White House's handling of that issue, and the use of post-presidential authority including pardons and a contested "auto pen" signing…