Axelrod and Maddow Raise The Same Important Question
The GOP-led House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas to three senior White House aides on Wednesday, demanding their depositions regarding President Biden's health. This move, revealed through letters obtained by Axios, marks a significant escalation in the Republicans' scrutiny of the president's fitness for office.
Why does this matter? Well, these subpoenas highlight the Republicans' determination to investigate whether Biden's closest aides have been concealing the true condition of the 81-year-old president. This probe is likely to extend into the November 5 election, adding fuel to an already intense political climate.
Concerns about President Biden's health have been growing since his lackluster performance at the June 27 debate. These concerns have prompted some Democrats, including administration officials, to brace for potential congressional probes into Biden's mental fitness and what his aides might know about it.
If what he said at the end of his presser is true, it sounds like Biden's team has not been very candid with him about what the data is showing: the age issue is a huge and potentially insurmountable concern and his odds of victory are very, very slim.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 12, 2024
Oversight chair James Comer (R-Ky.) has subpoenaed First Lady Jill Biden's top aide Anthony Bernal, Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini, and senior adviser Ashley Williams. According to Biden officials, these three are low-profile but wield significant influence within the White House.
Comer has requested the aides to respond by July 17 and to participate in closed-door interviews later this month. He referenced a recent Axios report that highlighted Bernal and Tomasini's unusual access to the first family's residence, a situation that has raised eyebrows among the White House residence staff.
In his letters, Comer expressed the committee's concern that these officials might be running the country while the president is unable to. Specifically, Comer seeks to understand the extent of Bernal's influence over the president and his role in ensuring Biden is personally fulfilling his presidential duties.
Rachel Maddow is worried Biden "is being given information about his political standing that may not based in reality" pic.twitter.com/JC4kxYD2EP
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 12, 2024
White House spokesperson Ian Sams responded, calling the subpoenas a "baseless political stunt" aimed at gaining media attention rather than engaging in legitimate oversight. Sams accused Comer of weaponizing subpoenas for headlines and bypassing the proper constitutional process.
It's important to note that Comer had previously attempted to interview Bernal, Tomasini, and Williams during an investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents. These aides had visited an office where classified documents were found, an issue also investigated by the Justice Department and special counsel Robert Hur, who ultimately declined to press charges. At that time, the White House did not make the aides available to Comer's committee.
Comer has also been involved in leading an impeachment inquiry into Biden, which included interviews with several members of the president's family. However, this inquiry did not lead to Biden's impeachment.