The Doctor Was In (and Out): Biden's Physician Invokes Fifth Amendment in Deposition

The Doctor Was in (and Out): Biden's Physician Invokes Fifth Amendment During Deposition

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Joe Biden’s personal physician, recently made an appearance before the House Oversight Committee. This was not a routine medical check-up, but rather a high-stakes deposition that raised questions about the former president’s fitness for office.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., issued a subpoena for O’Connor to testify about whether Biden was capable of serving as president. The committee aimed to scrutinize the health and mental acuity of the former commander-in-chief. However, the meeting did not go as expected.

O’Connor spent just 20 minutes behind closed doors with the committee before the deposition ended. Throughout the session, he faced intense questioning from committee attorneys. They asked whether he believed Biden was fit for the job and if he had been pressured to misrepresent the president’s health. Despite these inquiries, O’Connor repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Comer expressed frustration with O’Connor’s silence, stating, “Most people invoke the Fifth when they have criminal liability.” He argued that the American public has a right to know about the health of the president, both physically and mentally. Comer suggested that O’Connor’s refusal to answer questions added to the perception of a cover-up.

Only one Democrat, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Tex., attended the deposition. She explained that it was important to have a Democratic presence to ensure the process remained balanced and free from bias. Crockett criticized the Republicans for using the Fifth Amendment as a sign of guilt, emphasizing that patients have the right to confidentiality in their medical care.

The Department of Justice is investigating the use of the autopen by Biden, which may have influenced O’Connor’s decision to assert his Fifth Amendment rights. His legal team clarified that this does not imply any wrongdoing, but rather a commitment to protecting patient confidentiality. They warned that revealing sensitive medical information could lead to civil liability and the revocation of his medical license.

O’Connor’s silence extended beyond the deposition room. As he left the Rayburn House Office Building, he refused to answer questions about his testimony or his views on Biden’s ability to serve. When asked if he took the Fifth because he was trying to cover up the president’s condition, he offered no response.

This situation highlights a broader ethical dilemma for physicians who also serve in government. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., an OB-GYN, acknowledged the complexity of balancing patient confidentiality with national security concerns. He stated that he would need to consult with constitutional lawyers before making a decision on such matters.

Democrats defended Biden, with Crockett asserting that she never noticed any health issues during her interactions with the president. She noted that Biden’s speech patterns were not unusual and did not indicate any cognitive decline.

The debate over presidential health is not new. Historians have long questioned the fitness of past leaders, including Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In each case, the public was kept in the dark about the true state of the president’s health.

The Oversight Committee plans to call other former Biden associates in the coming days, including Ron Klain and Anthony Bernal. However, due to patient-doctor confidentiality, the full truth about Biden’s health may never be known.

This situation raises important questions about the balance between individual privacy and the public’s right to know. While the nation deserves transparency, the special relationship between a patient and their doctor must also be respected. The challenge lies in determining when national interests outweigh personal rights.