The House Oversight Committee escalated its investigation into the Biden administration on June 26th, issuing a subpoena to Anthony Bernal, a former aide to First Lady Jill Biden. Bernal’s refusal to testify regarding the White House’s operations during President Biden’s final two years in office prompted the committee’s action.

This development follows Bernal’s refusal to testify the previous day concerning President Biden’s use of an autopen. The White House had previously declared that his testimony would not be shielded by executive privilege, a claim that appears to have been a key factor in the subpoena.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) released a statement on June 25th, expressing his frustration with Bernal’s lack of cooperation. Comer stated, “Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal – Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’ – never intended to be transparent about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up. With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth.”

The subpoena marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation, and the committee’s next steps remain to be seen. The controversy surrounding the use of an autopen, and the broader questions about the White House’s operations, continue to draw significant attention.