Neera Tanden, a former senior adviser to President Joe Biden, has agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door interview as part of its investigation into claims of Biden’s cognitive decline while in office. The testimony is scheduled for June 24, according to an Oversight Committee aide.
Republican Representative James Comer, the committee chairman, has accused Democrats, the media, and the Biden administration of “propping up a man who was unfit to lead.” Comer believes a so-called “cover-up” allowed the use of “autopens” to issue “blanket pardons” for members of the Biden family. President Donald Trump has made similar claims that the autopen meant someone else was in charge.
Tanden has acknowledged that the autopen is used in “a lot” of administrations but has not publicly commented on Biden’s use of it or his cognitive function. There has been no evidence that aides acted on his behalf or that anyone other than Biden used the autopen.
Tanden, 54, is a prominent Democratic consultant who served in the Clinton, Obama, and Biden administrations. Biden initially nominated her to lead the Office of Management and Budget in 2020, but the nomination was withdrawn after controversy over her past tweets. She was subsequently appointed senior adviser and staff secretary.
Comer has also requested testimony from other former senior advisers, including Michael Donilon, Anita Dunn, Bruce Reed, and Steve Ricchetti. Subpoenas have been issued to Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams, Annie Tomasini, and Biden’s physician, Kevin O’Connor.
