Former Biden Aide Ricchetti Testifies in House Oversight Mental Fitness Probe

Steve Ricchetti, a longtime top aide and counselor to President Joe Biden since 2012, testified behind closed doors before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Biden's mental fitness while in office and the use of autopen for executive actions, including pardons. The committee is probing whether Biden had the mental capacity to authorize these actions and whether his inner circle concealed signs of cognitive decline, with Ricchetti viewed as a key figure in managing the White House during this period. Ricchetti appeared voluntarily and did not take questions from reporters, joining other close aides like Ron Klain who have cooperated, while some others, including Biden's physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor and aide Annie Tomasini, have invoked the Fifth Amendment. President Biden has publicly rejected claims of cognitive decline, calling such reports false. The investigation has raised questions about the extent of delegation in the clemency process and whether a cover-up was attempted, with committee chairman James Comer suggesting legislative responses might be needed if staff concealed the president's condition. The probe continues with additional interviews scheduled, reflecting ongoing congressional scrutiny of Biden's mental capacity and executive authority use during his term.