Annie Tomasini, who served as deputy chief of staff under President Joe Biden, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a congressional deposition on Friday, becoming the third former White House official to do so amid a growing probe into the president’s mental acuity. Republican lawmakers allege that her silence is part of a larger effort to obscure the truth.
“There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,” said House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), following Tomasini’s refusal to answer whether she was “instructed to lie” by the White House about Biden’s condition.
Comer further stated, “She also pleaded the Fifth when asked if she ever advised President Biden on the handling of classified documents found in his garage, if President Biden or anyone in the White House instructed her to conceal or destroy classified material found at President Biden’s home or office, and if she ever conspired with anyone in the White House to hide information regarding the Biden family’s ‘business’ dealings.”
“It’s apparent they would rather hide key information to protect themselves and Joe Biden than be truthful with the American people about this historic scandal,” Comer added, pointing to what he described as a troubling pattern of evasion.
Tomasini has longstanding ties to Biden, having started her political career nearly 30 years ago as his press secretary when he led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Although she initially agreed to testify voluntarily, she changed course earlier in the week. Her legal team ultimately requested that she be formally subpoenaed to appear before the Oversight Committee.
On Thursday, Republicans on the panel announced plans to expand their inquiry into concerns over Biden’s cognitive state and the use of autopen signatures. They plan to hold additional hearings in the coming months.
The next round of testimony is expected to include four more Biden associates, including former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, all of whom have been asked to participate in voluntary, recorded interviews starting this fall.
Ian Sams, who previously worked as a spokesman for the White House counsel’s office, is scheduled to meet with the committee on August 21.
He will be followed by Andrew Bates, Biden’s former senior deputy press secretary.
Karine Jean-Pierre, whose recent public break with the administration and new book project have drawn attention, is slated to appear on September 12 to respond to questions from committee members.
Other individuals close to the president will also be brought in for questioning, including Ron Klain, who is expected to testify next week before the Oversight Committee.
{Matzav.com}
If they have nothing to hide and did nothing wrong, why wouldn’t they speak???
Plead the 5th because they wouldn’t want to be accused of lying as the truth of the Chin Ball President will soon be revealed.