House Republicans are intensifying efforts to investigate allegations that former President Joe Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, concealed signs of cognitive decline during Biden’s presidency. The probe, led by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), centers on whether Biden’s medical team misrepresented his health and enabled a “shadow presidency” while Democrats downplayed concerns about his fitness for office.
– Jackson claims O’Connor prescribed medications to mask Biden’s cognitive issues and facilitated a lack of transparency, stating, “He is a massive part of the cover-up”.
– The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed three senior Biden aides in 2024 to discuss his mental state, accusing them of effectively “running the country”.
– A 2024 Wall Street Journal report cited over 45 sources describing Biden’s inconsistent performance, including “moments of good and bad” mental acuity.
– Republicans highlight eight visits by a Parkinson’s disease specialist to the White House in nine months, which O’Connor dismissed as routine.
The Biden administration has consistently dismissed these investigations as “baseless political stunts,” with spokesperson Ian Sams accusing Republicans of seeking “headlines instead of legitimate oversight”. The White House also blocked the release of audio from Biden’s 2024 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, invoking executive privilege.
– Hur’s 2024 report described Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” though it clarified this did not equate to legal incompetence.
– Public appearances reinforced concerns, including Biden confusing Ukraine’s Zelenskyy with Vladimir Putin and referring to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” at a 2024 NATO summit.
Democrats initially defended Biden, with Nancy Pelosi calling the Journal’s report a “hit piece,” but growing voter unease about his age contributed to his withdrawal from the 2024 race. Republicans now aim to frame the alleged cover-up as a systemic failure, with Jackson vowing, “Their feet will be held to the fire”.
The investigation remains ongoing, with GOP lawmakers seeking testimony from O’Connor and additional medical records to determine if Biden’s team prioritized political image over public transparency.
