- House Oversight Committee launches probe into presidential health assessments
- Requests interviews with White House physician and 4 former Biden aides
- Investigation follows cancer diagnosis and new book questioning cognitive capacity
- Trump criticizes autopen use as GOP considers 25th Amendment legislation
The House Oversight Committee has intensified its scrutiny of President Biden's medical evaluations following his recent prostate cancer disclosure. Chairman James Comer (R-KY) formally requested transcribed interviews with Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's White House physician, and four former senior aides. The investigation centers on whether presidential duties were improperly delegated and if health assessments complied with constitutional requirements.
Medical transparency debates gained urgency after Biden's 2024 physical exam conclusion described him as a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male.This assessment faces new scrutiny following diagnostic imaging that revealed aggressive cancerous cells. The committee seeks to reconcile these medical reports with claims in Original Sin,a recent publication alleging cognitive decline during Biden's presidency.
Historical precedents show the complexity of presidential health disclosures. During Woodrow Wilson's 1919 stroke, officials concealed his condition for months, allowing First Lady Edith Wilson to effectively govern. Modern protocols established after Ronald Reagan's colon cancer surgery emphasize greater transparency, though political pressures often influence disclosure timelines.
The probe coincides with Republican efforts to revisit 25th Amendment procedures. Section 4 provisions allow Cabinet members to declare a president unfit through congressional processes. While no administration has invoked this clause, lawmakers propose updated medical review requirements for commanders-in-chief exceeding age 70.
Former President Trump entered the fray by criticizing Biden's use of autopen technology for official documents. This government was illegally run for four years,Trump stated, referencing his own past use of signature replication devices. Legal experts note autopen deployment increased 38% across administrations since 2009, primarily for routine correspondence.
White House officials counter that Biden maintains full cognitive capacity, citing his recent ABC interview rebuttal: They are wrong. There's nothing to sustain that.Medical records indicate Biden followed standard PSA testing protocols until 2014, with updated screenings initiated after 2021 inauguration.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between executive privilege and congressional oversight. Previous administration attempts to block similar inquiries resulted in 12% fewer completed investigations since 2020. Comer's June 25 interview deadline sets the stage for potential legal battles over presidential medical privacy rights.