The House Oversight Committee is conducting an investigation into who was responsible for covering up former President Joe Biden's mental decline.

That investigation took a dramatic turn this week when a former high-level Biden administration aide chose to assert his Fifth Amendment rights. 

Bernal would not say if he had been asked to lie about Biden's health

According to Breitbart, Anthony Bernal refused to answer questions when called to provide closed-door testimony this week.

Bernal, who served as chief of staff to former First Lady Jill Biden, cited his right not to incriminate himself when asked whether he was ever asked to lie about the former president's health.

That fact was highlighted in a social media post by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, who wrote, "Anthony Bernal — Jill Biden’s Chief of Staff — just invoked the Fifth Amendment during his congressional deposition."

"This week new reporting confirms President Biden’s aides took unauthorized executive actions during his presidency amid his cognitive decline," Comer stressed.

Comer: "Americans demand transparency and accountability"

"It’s no surprise that Anthony Bernal is pleading the Fifth Amendment to shield himself from criminal liability," the Kentucky lawmaker asserted.

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Anthony Bernal — Jill Biden’s Chief of Staff — just invoked the Fifth Amendment during his congressional deposition.

This week new reporting confirms President Biden’s aides took unauthorized executive actions during his presidency amid his cognitive decline. It’s no…

— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) July 16, 2025

"During his deposition today, Mr. Bernal pleaded the Fifth when asked if any unelected official or family members executed the duties of the President and if Joe Biden ever instructed him to lie about his health," Comer continued.

"This is a historic scandal and Americans demand transparency and accountability. We will continue to pursue the truth on their behalf and examine options to get the answers we need," the congressman went on to add.

Biden's doctor also invoked the Fifth Amendment

Bernal is not the first person to raise the Fifth Amendment when being questioned about Biden's mental state, as his personal physician did so last week.

As Fox News reported, Dr. Kevin O’Connor was repeatedly asked if he had been instructed to lie about the former president's condition.

"Most people invoke the Fifth when they have criminal liability. And you know, that's what it would appear (to be) on the surface here," Fox News quoted Comer as saying after O’Connor's testimony.

"The American people have a right to know the health condition of the president. Both physical and mental," he maintained.