House Oversight Chairman James Comer indicated the likelihood of subpoenaing First Lady Jill Biden has grown substantially after her close aide, Anthony Bernal, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a committee deposition Wednesday.
Bernal—often referred to in the media as Jill Biden’s “work husband”—was compelled to testify under subpoena and reportedly declined to answer key questions about whether unelected officials had carried out presidential duties or if he had ever been directed to lie about President Biden’s fitness. Within minutes, he started pleading the Fifth and left without providing testimony.
Comer praised the move as a turning point in the investigation. “Well, I think the odds of calling in Jill Biden increased significantly today,” he told reporters, emphasizing that unless someone granted immunity, no further information would surface.
The investigation, which is zeroing in on alleged efforts to conceal President Biden’s cognitive decline and the widespread use of an autopen for official documents, has already called in multiple aides for transcribed interviews. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician, also took the Fifth last week.
Comer’s team is now considering whether granting immunity to Bernal—or others—might force them to testify, removing the Fifth Amendment shield. “Nothing will come from this unless Comer compels someone to speak,” write Republicans. “Grant immunity to someone in Biden’s inner circle to prevent them from invoking the Fifth”.
Critics from both sides have called for public hearings rather than private depositions. Comer echoed calls for transparency: “These hearings should be public,” he said.
The committee has also issued a subpoena to Annie Tomasini, Biden’s former deputy chief of staff, as it broadens its efforts to hold key aides accountable for their roles.
As pressure mounts, the inquiry’s next critical step will be whether immunity is offered in exchange for testimony—or if members of the Biden family and inner circle face subpoenas themselves.
