The House Oversight Committee’s investigation into whether senior aides shielded the public from President Biden’s cognitive and physical decline ramped up on Friday, as another former White House official testified behind closed doors.
Ashley Williams, who served as deputy director of Oval Office Operations under Biden, arrived on Capitol Hill for a transcribed interview with committee investigators around 11 a.m. She did not speak to the press before entering the secured meeting room, which was closed to all but committee staff, Williams’ attorneys, and approved participants.
Her testimony marks the third appearance by a former senior Biden official in Chairman James Comer’s ongoing inquiry into what Republicans describe as a cover-up of the president’s condition during his final year in office.
Meanwhile, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, made another unexpected appearance at the interview session — her second surprise visit this week. She brushed off questions from reporters, citing a tight schedule.
GOP Probes White House Decision-Making
The committee is not only scrutinizing Biden’s health but also investigating whether executive orders were ever signed using an autopen — potentially without Biden’s knowledge — raising fresh concerns over presidential authority and oversight in the final months of his presidency.
Republicans point to Biden’s widely criticized performance during the June 2024 presidential debate, as well as later media reports suggesting growing unease among his inner circle regarding his fitness to serve.
Williams had previously been subpoenaed by the committee in July 2024, but at the time the White House dismissed the effort as a “baseless political stunt.”
Her Friday interview followed former White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor’s brief appearance before the committee on Wednesday. O’Connor invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during nearly all questioning, refusing to answer whether he had been instructed to lie about Biden’s medical condition or mental capacity.
Comer Slams Fifth Amendment Plea
“It’s clear there was a conspiracy to cover up President Biden’s cognitive decline,” Comer said in a statement following O’Connor’s appearance. “We will continue to interview more Biden aides to get the answers Americans deserve.”
O’Connor’s attorneys, however, defended the physician’s silence, arguing that the committee had signaled it would not respect doctor-patient confidentiality — a cornerstone of medical ethics. They warned that revealing Biden’s private health information could lead to the revocation of O’Connor’s medical license and potential legal consequences.
“Dr. O’Connor will not violate his oath of confidentiality to any of his patients, including President Biden,” the legal team said.
The White House recently waived executive privilege related to O’Connor’s records, allowing limited testimony — though the physician’s refusal to speak highlighted the legal and ethical complications surrounding the probe.
Investigation Continues
Comer has pledged to expand the investigation in the coming weeks, with additional former staffers expected to testify. While no direct evidence of wrongdoing has yet been confirmed, Republicans argue the Biden White House created a “bunker mentality” around the president’s condition.
Williams’ testimony may shed light on internal operations in the Oval Office and how decisions were made during Biden’s final months in power.
The Oversight Committee is expected to release further updates as more witnesses are questioned.
