Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced House investigators this week to discuss Biden’s mental fitness. Her private, nearly five-hour testimony followed growing concerns over the former president’s cognitive state during his final years in office.
Jean-Pierre told investigators she never noticed a change in Biden’s overall competency. However, she admitted he no longer speaks as he once did. She explained that Biden’s speech patterns changed over time, but she never asked why. She also never raised the issue with him directly.
Importantly, Jean-Pierre served in several roles under Biden from 2009 to 2025. Her testimony came as part of a broader Oversight Committee investigation into an alleged White House cover-up. The panel seeks to determine whether senior officials hid key information about Biden’s mental fitness from the public.
Though Jean-Pierre refused to speak with reporters before or after the interview, a source familiar with the session revealed several key points. The source said Jean-Pierre described Biden as sharp and capable. She also stated she had no personal concerns about his mental or physical health.
After Biden’s 2024 debate against Donald Trump, Jean-Pierre defended him publicly. She claimed top staff told her Biden had a cold during the debate. In July, she told reporters he was “as sharp as ever.” However, she admitted those comments relied on briefing binders prepared by advisors.
Jean-Pierre said health-related talking points came only from senior-level aides. She specifically mentioned the “cheap fakes” narrative. This phrase referred to edited videos meant to mislead viewers about Biden’s cognitive state. She did not know who added that phrase to her materials.
Jean-Pierre left the White House in early 2025. Later, she left the Democratic Party entirely. Her new book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, details her disillusionment with party leadership. Her appearance before Congress marked her return to the national spotlight.
Meanwhile, Oversight Committee Chair James Comer raised serious legal questions. He questioned whether Biden signed recent pardons and executive orders knowingly. The use of an autopen, Comer noted, remains under intense scrutiny. Emails suggest top officials may have bypassed Biden’s awareness.
Comer pointed to messages from Justice Department staff expressing concern. In one email, officials asked if Biden even knew whom he had pardoned. That question, Comer said, highlights deep issues inside the administration.
House Republicans continue pressing the investigation forward. They aim to determine whether senior aides violated the law by hiding Biden’s mental fitness from Congress and the American public.
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