Former White House Doctor Pleads the Fifth 14 Times During Biden Health Deposition

Doctor's Deposition and Fifth Amendment Invocation

• 👨‍⚕️ Former White House physician Kevin O'Connor invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 14 times in a 20-minute deposition before the House Oversight Committee.
• ❓ The deposition aimed to question O'Connor about President Biden's mental and physical decline and whether he was ever told to lie about the president's health.
• 🚫 O'Connor repeatedly declined to answer questions, citing physician-patient privilege and his constitutional right, offering no new insights.

Congressional Reaction and Investigation

• 🏛️ Congressman Brandon Williams stated that the doctor pleading the fifth adds to concerns of a cover-up, raising more questions than answers.
• 🔍 The committee is continuing its investigation by questioning other White House aides and individuals close to President Biden.
• ⚖️ While Democrats, like Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, defended O'Connor's right to plead the fifth, Republicans viewed it as an admission of guilt or hiding something.

Legal and Political Perspectives

• 📜 Jonathan Turley noted that while O'Connor legally can hide behind the Fifth Amendment, Congress could grant him immunity to compel testimony.
• ⚠️ The crime-fraud exception could negate physician-patient privilege if illegal activity is suspected, and HIPAA has exceptions for subpoenas.
• 🗳️ Some commentators argued that the American people have already made their decision on Biden's fitness through elections, and questioning a doctor about patient privilege is a waste of time and tragically partisan.

Broader Concerns and Future Investigations

• 🚗 The discussion touched upon the use of the auto-pen for official documents and whether legislation signed under such circumstances is valid.
• 📰 The investigation is seen by some as a necessary step for congressional oversight to uncover the truth, especially when other mechanisms like the 25th Amendment are difficult to implement.
• 🎤 Future witnesses for the committee include Ashley Williams, a former special assistant to the president, indicating the investigation is ongoing.