Committee Questions Ex-White House Aides Over alleged Biden Cover-Up

The House Oversight Committee has scheduled interviews with four former aides from President Joe Biden’s administration to investigate claims of a cover-up concerning the president’s mental health. Among those called to testify is Jeff Zients, Biden’s last chief of staff, who recently acknowledged approving last-minute pardons.

Others slated for questioning include former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, ex-deputy press secretary Andrew Bates, and Ian Sams, a senior adviser in the White House Counsel’s Office. These individuals are expected to provide transcribed statements regarding the controversial pardons, which included preemptive clemencies for Biden family members, authorized just hours before Biden left office.

Zients reportedly authorized the pardons in an email sent at 10:31 p.m. on January 19, 2025, signaling his direct involvement in the decision-making process. Biden has stated he personally approved all 25 pardons and commutations issued during his final months in office.

Jeff Zients, White House chief of staff, clapping. — Jeff Zients, who will be questioned about the pardons, from an image provided by AP.

The committee has already interviewed five Biden aides, with some refusing to answer questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination. Chairman James Comer described the investigation as uncovering “a historic scandal” and criticized the refusal of some to testify.

James Comer speaking at a microphone. — Oversight Chairman James Comer calls the investigation “a historic scandal.”

Additional scrutiny targets Biden’s health disclosures, with questions raised about the decision of his former personal physician and associates to invoke their right against self-incrimination during this inquiry.