Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the former physician to ex-President Joe Biden, chose not to answer questions during a session with the House Oversight Committee, citing the Fifth Amendment and doctor-patient confidentiality.
The session, which took place on Capitol Hill, is part of an ongoing investigation by Republican lawmakers into Biden’s health during his time in office.
Dr. O’Connor had close access to Biden during his presidency and regularly spoke about his health condition during the re-election period.
According to reports, the Committee Chairman, James Comer, asked O’Connor whether he had been pressured to mislead the public about Biden’s fitness for office.
Instead of responding, the doctor invoked his constitutional rights.
His legal team explained that the situation, especially in light of a Justice Department investigation reportedly linked to former President Donald Trump, made it necessary for him to protect himself legally.
Dr. O’Connor had earlier refused to testify until a subpoena forced him to appear. His lawyers tried to delay the hearing earlier in the week, but that request was rejected.
There were also concerns among committee members that he might not show up at all.
O’Connor has a long-standing relationship with the Biden family.
He served as Biden’s physician while he was vice president and was also involved in treating Biden’s late son, Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
While in the White House, he was one of the few insiders closely monitoring Biden’s health, and he sometimes raised concerns about the toll the presidency was taking on the then-elderly leader.
As part of the broader inquiry, House Republicans are also preparing to question other individuals close to Biden, including his wife’s senior adviser, Anthony Bernal, who recently pulled out of a scheduled interview.
He has now been ordered to appear through a subpoena as well.
This investigation follows growing public and political debates over Biden’s health, especially after reports from a recent book alleged that concerns about his physical and mental condition were downplayed by those around him.