Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
White House physician refuses to answer questions about whether he was told to lie or believed Biden was unfit, citing legal advice and medical confidentiality before House Oversight Committee
On 9 July 2025, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Joe Biden’s personal physician during his time in office, appeared before the House Oversight Committee and formally invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination.
The hearing was convened to examine whether Dr. O’Connor had participated in any actions or received instructions related to concealing the President’s health status.
Dr. O’Connor declined to answer questions regarding whether he was instructed to misrepresent President Biden’s medical condition or whether he personally believed Biden was medically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the presidency.
He cited legal advice and the need to protect patient confidentiality.
He stated that his refusal to answer was based on his constitutional rights and professional obligations.
During the session, committee members questioned whether the White House physician had knowledge of any effort to mislead the American public about President Biden’s cognitive or physical abilities.
Members also sought clarification on who was effectively performing presidential duties during periods when Biden’s capacity had been publicly questioned.
The deposition follows months of scrutiny regarding President Biden’s health, particularly after his limited public appearances, verbal slips, and reports suggesting increased delegation of responsibilities to aides.
Additional questions were raised following Biden’s May 2025 announcement of a prostate cancer diagnosis and his decision not to run for re-election in 2024.
Dr. O’Connor’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment came amid broader investigations into the transparency of medical disclosures issued by the White House during Biden’s presidency.
The committee is seeking testimony from other current and former administration officials, including senior aides, to determine the extent of internal awareness regarding the President’s medical condition.
At the time of the testimony, the White House had not issued a new statement regarding the President’s health or responded to the physician’s decision to plead the Fifth.
The hearing was convened to examine whether Dr. O’Connor had participated in any actions or received instructions related to concealing the President’s health status.
Dr. O’Connor declined to answer questions regarding whether he was instructed to misrepresent President Biden’s medical condition or whether he personally believed Biden was medically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the presidency.
He cited legal advice and the need to protect patient confidentiality.
He stated that his refusal to answer was based on his constitutional rights and professional obligations.
During the session, committee members questioned whether the White House physician had knowledge of any effort to mislead the American public about President Biden’s cognitive or physical abilities.
Members also sought clarification on who was effectively performing presidential duties during periods when Biden’s capacity had been publicly questioned.
The deposition follows months of scrutiny regarding President Biden’s health, particularly after his limited public appearances, verbal slips, and reports suggesting increased delegation of responsibilities to aides.
Additional questions were raised following Biden’s May 2025 announcement of a prostate cancer diagnosis and his decision not to run for re-election in 2024.
Dr. O’Connor’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment came amid broader investigations into the transparency of medical disclosures issued by the White House during Biden’s presidency.
The committee is seeking testimony from other current and former administration officials, including senior aides, to determine the extent of internal awareness regarding the President’s medical condition.
At the time of the testimony, the White House had not issued a new statement regarding the President’s health or responded to the physician’s decision to plead the Fifth.
