Doctor Pleads the Fifth as Republicans Investigate Alleged White House Cover-Up
A fresh controversy has erupted in Washington as Republicans dig deeper into what they say is a massive cover-up surrounding President Joe Biden’s health—and the silence from his former doctor is only raising more questions.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the longtime personal physician to Joe Biden, stunned lawmakers by invoking the Fifth Amendment during a House Oversight Committee interview this week. The closed-door session, led by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., lasted less than 30 minutes—and O’Connor refused to answer any questions except to confirm his own name.
Why Is Biden’s Former Doctor Refusing to Talk?
According to legal counsel, Dr. O’Connor’s refusal was based on concerns that testifying might force him to violate doctor-patient confidentiality. But Republican lawmakers say that excuse doesn’t hold up, especially when there are concerns about presidential fitness and national security.
“You can’t plead the Fifth and claim it’s about patient privacy at the same time,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, a former White House physician who served under Presidents Obama and Trump. “That protection doesn’t apply when you’ve been subpoenaed. This isn’t about ethics—it’s about hiding the truth.”
Was Biden’s Mental Decline Covered Up?
Chairman Comer is leading an investigation into whether top White House staffers and medical officials—possibly including O’Connor—deliberately concealed evidence of Biden’s cognitive and physical decline from the public. There are even allegations that official documents may have been signed without the president’s full awareness, possibly through autopen authorization.
“This cover-up could not have been pulled off without Dr. O’Connor’s cooperation,” Jackson said. “That’s likely why he pled the Fifth—because answering truthfully would incriminate him as part of the scheme.”
What’s at Stake? Ethics, Security, and Truth
Legal experts note that once Dr. O’Connor was subpoenaed, doctor-patient privilege was no longer a valid shield. “President Trump had already waived presidential privilege in similar situations. O’Connor had nothing left—so he hid behind the Fifth,” Jackson said.
Republicans had prepared a list of hard-hitting medical questions, including whether neurological exams or cognitive tests were ever performed on President Biden. But O’Connor’s swift refusal to cooperate left many of those questions unanswered.
His attorneys argue that the investigation is politically motivated and dangerously broad. In a statement, they claimed that testifying could put O’Connor’s medical license at risk and expose him to civil lawsuits.
“Revealing confidential patient information would violate the most fundamental duty of a physician,” the attorneys wrote. “Dr. O’Connor will not break his ethical oath—even under political pressure.”
But to millions of Americans—especially concerned seniors—the bigger question remains: If Biden is mentally and physically fit, why is his own doctor refusing to talk?
