Latest news with #AnnieTomasini
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
House GOP subpoenas Biden aide to testify about former president's concerning mental fitness
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., issued a subpoena to have former President Joe Biden's deputy chief of staff appear before the committee on Friday to provide testimony regarding her former boss's mental state while serving in the Oval Office. Comer, who leads the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent interview requests to four key Biden White House aides, including former assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini. The former assistant's voluntary appearance was requested on May 22, 2025, and it was scheduled for her to appear before the committee on July 18, or this Friday. For unknown reasons, though, Tomasini's counsel requested Comer issue a subpoena to compel her to appear. Probe Into Biden's Alleged Mental Decline Cover-up Deepens With More Former White House Officials To Testify Comer broke down the events leading up to the subpoena in his letter to Tomasini, before directing her to the bottom of the letter for the legal request. Read On The Fox News App "The Committee seeks information about your assessment of and relationship with former President Biden to explore whether the time has come for Congress to revisit potential legislation to address the oversight of presidents' fitness to serve pursuant to its authority under Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, or to propose changes to the Twenty-Fifth Amendment itself," Comer wrote in the subpoena. "The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate 'any matter' at 'any time' under House Rule X," he continued. "Further, House Rule XI clause 2(m)(1)(B) grants Committees of the House of Representatives the authority 'to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as it considers necessary.'" Former Biden Aide Anthony Bernal Subpoenaed By House Committee After Refusing To Appear For Deposition Comer added that should Tomasini have any questions, she should call the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority staff. The chair previously told Fox News that these "unelected bureaucrats" had an overwhelming influence over Biden and were possibly serving as "de facto" presidents in his stead." Along with Tomasini, the committee sent interview requests to former director of the Domestic Policy Council Neera Tanden, former senior adviser to the first lady Anthony Bernal and former deputy director of Oval Office operations Ashley Williams. Comer Widens Biden 'Cover-up' Probe, Seeks Interviews With Anita Dunn And Ron Klain Bernal was also subpoenaed after refusing to voluntarily appear before the committee. Williams and Tanden have already been interviewed by committee members. The GOP effort to uncover the truth of what went on behind closed doors during the Biden administration comes shortly after the release of "Original Sin" by CNN host Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, which claims that the Biden White House was going all out trying to control the perception of the aging president's failing health. The book exposes the cover-up of Biden's decline and his decision to run for re-election. Biden White House Aides Face Oversight Deadline Amid Threat Of Subpoenas Tapper said during an interview with Piers Morgan last month that what Biden's aides did to hide his condition from the public could be "even worse" than the Watergate scandal during Richard Nixon's presidency. "It is a scandal. It is without question, and maybe even worse than Watergate in some ways," Tapper said. "The only reason we invoke Watergate is just to make clear like, it's not Watergate — this is an entirely separate scandal, maybe even worse." In his letters, Comer said that while the committee has been investigating the cover-up for nearly a year, "newfound details regarding President Biden's obvious decline demand renewed scrutiny of White House personnel actions and knowledge of relevant information over the course of the prior administration." Comer said the committee is seeking "to understand who made key decisions and exercised the powers of the executive branch during the Biden Administration." Fox News Digital's Peter Pinedo contributed to this article source: House GOP subpoenas Biden aide to testify about former president's concerning mental fitness
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
House GOP subpoenas Biden aide to testify about former president's concerning mental fitness
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., issued a subpoena to have former President Joe Biden's deputy chief of staff appear before the committee on Friday to provide testimony regarding her former boss's mental state while serving in the Oval Office. Comer, who leads the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent interview requests to four key Biden White House aides, including former assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini. The former assistant's voluntary appearance was requested on May 22, 2025, and it was scheduled for her to appear before the committee on July 18, or this Friday. For unknown reasons, though, Tomasini's counsel requested Comer issue a subpoena to compel her to appear. Comer broke down the events leading up to the subpoena in his letter to Tomasini, before directing her to the bottom of the letter for the legal request. "The Committee seeks information about your assessment of and relationship with former President Biden to explore whether the time has come for Congress to revisit potential legislation to address the oversight of presidents' fitness to serve pursuant to its authority under Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, or to propose changes to the Twenty-Fifth Amendment itself," Comer wrote in the subpoena. "The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate 'any matter' at 'any time' under House Rule X," he continued. "Further, House Rule XI clause 2(m)(1)(B) grants Committees of the House of Representatives the authority 'to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as it considers necessary.'" Comer added that should Tomasini have any questions, she should call the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority staff. The chair previously told Fox News that these "unelected bureaucrats" had an overwhelming influence over Biden and were possibly serving as "de facto" presidents in his stead." Along with Tomasini, the committee sent interview requests to former director of the Domestic Policy Council Neera Tanden, former senior adviser to the first lady Anthony Bernal and former deputy director of Oval Office operations Ashley Williams. Bernal was also subpoenaed after refusing to voluntarily appear before the committee. Williams and Tanden have already been interviewed by committee members. The GOP effort to uncover the truth of what went on behind closed doors during the Biden administration comes shortly after the release of "Original Sin" by CNN host Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, which claims that the Biden White House was going all out trying to control the perception of the aging president's failing health. The book exposes the cover-up of Biden's decline and his decision to run for re-election. Tapper said during an interview with Piers Morgan last month that what Biden's aides did to hide his condition from the public could be "even worse" than the Watergate scandal during Richard Nixon's presidency. "It is a scandal. It is without question, and maybe even worse than Watergate in some ways," Tapper said. "The only reason we invoke Watergate is just to make clear like, it's not Watergate — this is an entirely separate scandal, maybe even worse." In his letters, Comer said that while the committee has been investigating the cover-up for nearly a year, "newfound details regarding President Biden's obvious decline demand renewed scrutiny of White House personnel actions and knowledge of relevant information over the course of the prior administration." Comer said the committee is seeking "to understand who made key decisions and exercised the powers of the executive branch during the Biden Administration."
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
House GOP subpoenas former Biden aide to testify about president's concerning mental fitness
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., issued a subpoena to have former President Joe Biden's deputy chief of staff appear before the committee on Friday to provide testimony regarding her former boss's mental state while serving in the Oval Office. Comer, who leads the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent interview requests to four key Biden White House aides, including former assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini. The former assistant's voluntary appearance was requested on May 22, 2025, and it was scheduled for her to appear before the committee on July 18, or this Friday. For unknown reasons, though, Tomasini's counsel requested Comer issue a subpoena to compel her to appear. Comer broke down the events leading up to the subpoena in his letter to Tomasini, before directing her to the bottom of the letter for the legal request. "The Committee seeks information about your assessment of and relationship with former President Biden to explore whether the time has come for Congress to revisit potential legislation to address the oversight of presidents' fitness to serve pursuant to its authority under Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, or to propose changes to the Twenty-Fifth Amendment itself," Comer wrote in the subpoena. "The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate 'any matter' at 'any time' under House Rule X," he continued. "Further, House Rule XI clause 2(m)(1)(B) grants Committees of the House of Representatives the authority 'to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as it considers necessary.'" Comer added that should Tomasini have any questions, she should call the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority staff. The chair previously told Fox News that these "unelected bureaucrats" had an overwhelming influence over Biden and were possibly serving as "de facto" presidents in his stead." Along with Tomasini, the committee sent interview requests to former director of the Domestic Policy Council Neera Tanden, former senior adviser to the first lady Anthony Bernal and former deputy director of Oval Office operations Ashley Williams. Bernal was also subpoenaed after refusing to voluntarily appear before the committee. Williams and Tanden have already been interviewed by committee members. The GOP effort to uncover the truth of what went on behind closed doors during the Biden administration comes shortly after the release of "Original Sin" by CNN host Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, which claims that the Biden White House was going all out trying to control the perception of the aging president's failing health. The book exposes the cover-up of Biden's decline and his decision to run for re-election. Tapper said during an interview with Piers Morgan last month that what Biden's aides did to hide his condition from the public could be "even worse" than the Watergate scandal during Richard Nixon's presidency. "It is a scandal. It is without question, and maybe even worse than Watergate in some ways," Tapper said. "The only reason we invoke Watergate is just to make clear like, it's not Watergate — this is an entirely separate scandal, maybe even worse." In his letters, Comer said that while the committee has been investigating the cover-up for nearly a year, "newfound details regarding President Biden's obvious decline demand renewed scrutiny of White House personnel actions and knowledge of relevant information over the course of the prior administration." Comer said the committee is seeking "to understand who made key decisions and exercised the powers of the executive branch during the Biden Administration."
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Biden assistant Annie Tomasini becomes third aide subpoenaed to answer questions on prez's mental decline
WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday subpoenaed Joe Biden's former deputy chief of staff to answer questions about the 46th president's cognitive decline — and possible abuse of the presidential autopen to approve executive orders and pardons. Annie Tomasini, a longtime aide to Biden who got her career start serving as his press secretary when he chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as Delaware's senior senator, will now be deposed Friday after her lawyer requested the official document compelling her appearance. 'With no forewarning, on July 14, your counsel requested a subpoena to compel your appearance on July 18,' the subpoena's cover letter from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) to attorney Jonathan Su stated. Advertisement 4 Annie Tomasini, a longtime aide to Biden who got her career start serving as his press secretary when he chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as Delaware's senior senator, will now be deposed Friday. AFP via Getty Images It will make her the fifth member of Biden's inner circle to come before the committee — and the third after refusing to do so voluntarily. The retired president was forced out of his 2024 re-election bid by party bosses after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June of that year, with insiders enraged at Biden's apparent lack of mental acuity in answering key questions about his record. Advertisement Anthony Bernal, the ex-president's current chief of staff and Jill Biden's 'work husband,' will testify Wednesday after also being served a subpoena. Bernal is also being represented by Su. 4 The retired president was forced out of his 2024 re-election bid by party bosses after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June of that year. AFP via Getty Images Biden's presidential physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, pleaded the Fifth Amendment at his deposition last week and refused to answer questions, including: 'Were you ever told to lie about the president's health?' and 'Did you ever believe President Biden was unfit to execute his duties?' Tomasini's deposition is part of the GOP-led investigation to uncover who shielded the former president from scrutiny about his failing mental acuity — as well as who wielded the now-infamous autopen, a device apparently used to sign off on dozens of executive orders, pardons and sentence commutations. Advertisement Biden insisted in an interview with the New York Times last week that 'I made every decision' about clemency warrants issued during his time in office. The former POTUS then admitted that he had his staff replicate his signature with the autopen because 'we're talking about a lot of people.' 4 With his consent, Biden's team ran the autopen on 25 pardon and commutation warrants from last December through January, granting clemency to thousands of people. Getty Images With his consent, Biden's team ran the autopen on 25 pardon and commutation warrants from last December through January, granting clemency to thousands of people. First family members were also shielded from future prosecution in last-minute pardons on Jan. 19, approved by then-White House chief of staff Jeff Zients. Advertisement Former staff secretary Stefanie Feldman put the official documents through the autopen after receiving similar 'blurbs' or written accounts confirming that Biden gave executive authority to use the device, The Times reported. 4 Because Bernal and Tomasini refused to be interviewed voluntarily, both will only have two options for each question put to them by the committee: provide an answer, or plead the Fifth. Getty Images Because Bernal and Tomasini refused to be interviewed voluntarily, both will only have two options for each question put to them by the committee: provide an answer, or plead the Fifth. Tomasini had previously consented to come before the committee for a transcribed interview, but reneged on her agreement Monday. 'On June 6, your counsel confirmed your voluntary appearance on July 18,' Comer's letter to her attorney noted. Su did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
