The House Oversight Committee is seeking to understand more about the role of White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor after conflicting statements about whether President Joe Biden received a cognitive test following his debate disaster.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly insisted during a news conference Tuesday that Biden had not gone to the doctor for a mental acuity test, contradicting the president’s own statements during a meeting with governors last week where he said he saw his doctor after the debate and was determined to be fine.
“Statements from the White House Press Secretary and President Biden appear inconsistent, and the Committee is seeking to understand the scope of her role in the White House at this time,” Oversight Chairman James Comer wrote in a Saturday letter to the physician.
O’Connor has never recommended that Biden undergo cognitive testing, according to a White House official who spoke to The Washington Post, and now House Republicans are wondering if it’s because of a financial conflict.
President Joe Biden’s physician Kevin O’Connor (R) is being called to “produce all documents and communications in his possession concerning Americore and James Biden” as questions arise over his resistance to asking Biden to undergo a cognitive test.
“The Oversight Committee is concerned that his medical evaluations have been influenced by his private business dealings with the Biden family,” Comer wrote.
Biden denies he has any long-term mental health problems, saying in his first post-debate television interview that there is “no indication of any serious condition.”
Speaking to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Friday, Biden repeatedly rejected the idea of undergoing an independent medical evaluation that would show voters he is prepared to serve another term.
And now Rep. Comer is asking Dr. O’Connor to clarify her business relationship with Americore, where the president’s brother, James Biden, served as a director. James sent $200,000 to President Biden while the company was experiencing financial difficulties.
‘On March 1, 2018, the same day James Biden received the $200,000 wire transfer from Americore into his bank account, James Biden wrote a check to his brother, Joe Biden, for $200,000 for a ‘loan repayment,’ the committee’s letter reads.
He added: “In February of this year, the Committee conducted a transcribed interview with James Biden. During the interview, James Biden confirmed that you provided him with advice in connection with the alleged work he was performing for Americore.”
‘Given your connections to the Biden family, the Committee also seeks to understand whether you are able to provide accurate and independent assessments of the President’s fitness to serve in office.’