Former Jill Biden chief of staff Anthony Bernal repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Chairman James Comer announced Wednesday.

Bernal, a longtime adviser to the former first lady, declined to answer lawmakers’ questions throughout the session. Comer stated on X that recent reports confirm unauthorized executive actions taken by President Biden’s aides amid concerns about his cognitive decline. “It’s no surprise that Anthony Bernal is pleading the Fifth Amendment to shield himself from criminal liability,” Comer said.

During the deposition, Bernal refused to answer if any unelected officials or family members performed presidential duties or if Joe Biden ever instructed him to lie about his health. Comer called it a “historic scandal,” vowing to pursue transparency and accountability on behalf of the American public.

Bernal had previously skipped a scheduled interview on June 26, part of the committee’s probe into the alleged misuse of President Biden’s autopen and other staff actions. Following his absence, he was subpoenaed by Comer.

Bernal’s decision to plead the Fifth follows former Biden physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor’s similar refusal to answer questions before the committee last week. Separately, former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg was secretly recorded by Project Veritas describing Bernal as a powerful figure in Biden’s administration, highlighting concerns about the president’s tightly controlled inner circle.