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President Biden’s former physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, invoked both doctor-patient privilege and his Fifth Amendment right during a closed-door congressional deposition related to an investigation into the former president’s health and cognitive state while he was in office.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into President Biden’s cognitive health and overall fitness to serve following a series of public incidents, media reports, and growing concerns over his mental acuity during his time in office. Lawmakers pointed to moments of visible confusion, memory lapses, and questions surrounding his awareness of official decisions as potential indicators of cognitive decline. In response, the committee began probing whether Biden’s aides or family members may have concealed signs of deteriorating health and whether critical executive functions were being carried out without his full knowledge or consent. Central to the inquiry is whether the former president was mentally capable of authorizing key policies or if tools like the autopen were used to mask his disengagement from presidential duties.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Dr. O’Connor refused to answer nearly all questions, citing physician-patient privilege and invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. According to committee officials, O’Connor answered only one question—his name—before repeatedly pleading the Fifth, even on matters that may not have been protected by medical confidentiality. His legal team issued a statement explaining the decision: “Revealing confidential patient information would violate the most fundamental ethical duty of a physician, could result in revocation of Dr. O’Connor’s medical license, and would subject Dr. O’Connor to potential civil liability.”

They added that invoking the Fifth did not imply guilt, but was a necessary legal safeguard due to the ongoing Justice Department investigation related to the same subject matter.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) left the deposition pissed, claiming that O’Connor’s refusal to testify further validated suspicions of a deliberate coverup. “It’s clear there was a conspiracy to cover up President Biden’s cognitive decline. The American people demand transparency, but Dr. O’Connor would rather conceal the truth.” He specifically pointed out that O’Connor took the Fifth when asked whether he had been instructed to mislead the public about Biden’s health and whether the former president was mentally fit to serve.

Comer added, “Congress must assess legislative solutions to prevent such a coverup from happening again.”

Democratic members of the committee pushed back, arguing that O’Connor had acted appropriately under legal and ethical standards. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) said, “He did what any good lawyer would advise him to do, and it seems like he had two good lawyers in the room today.” Crockett also noted that violating doctor-patient confidentiality could carry serious professional consequences, including the loss of O’Connor’s medical license.

She also defended Biden’s performance in office, stating, “There is nothing about Joe Biden and his stutter or him being older that caused any issues as it relates to potentially harming the American people.”

This all comes as the House Oversight Committee continues its broader investigation, with additional depositions set to include other top Biden officials later this month.