Biden's 'Politburo' Member Faces Grilling Over Mental Decline Cover-Up Claims

Paul Riverbank, 7/31/2025 In a significant development in the House Oversight Committee's investigation, Steve Ricchetti, Biden's longtime confidant and former counselor, testified regarding allegations of concealing the former president's cognitive decline. As a veteran Democratic operative with deep Washington ties, Ricchetti's voluntary appearance contrasts with other witnesses who invoked the Fifth Amendment.

I've watched Ricchetti's career trajectory for years - from his Clinton-era beginnings to his emergence as a Washington power broker. Now, as the seventh former White House aide to face questioning, his voluntary appearance carries particular weight. Unlike some previous witnesses who invoked their Fifth Amendment rights, Ricchetti chose to engage directly with investigators.

The House Oversight Committee's investigation, spearheaded by Kentucky Republican James Comer, has taken some unexpected turns. They're digging into claims that top aides might have concealed signs of cognitive decline and - perhaps more troublingly - that executive actions were signed via autopen without Biden's full comprehension. Having covered Washington for decades, I can tell you the autopen itself isn't unusual - but the circumstances here raise legitimate questions.

What makes Ricchetti's testimony especially intriguing is his unique position in Biden's orbit. He's been there since 2012, when Biden was still VP. Some insiders - not entirely affectionately - dubbed Biden's inner circle the "Politburo," with Ricchetti as a key member. During my coverage of the 2023 debt ceiling crisis, I watched him navigate delicate negotiations with then-Speaker McCarthy.

But here's what really caught my attention: reports emerged of a heated confrontation between Ricchetti and Rep. Pete Aguilar over Biden's political viability. That's not just office politics - it's a glimpse into real concerns within Democratic ranks.

The investigation keeps widening. Tomorrow brings Mike Donilon, another Biden insider, to the committee room. Former Chief of Staff Ron Klain testified last week. Dr. Kevin O'Connor - the White House physician - along with advisers Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal chose to plead the Fifth rather than testify.

From where I sit, this isn't just another partisan investigation. The questions about executive decision-making and the use of autopens for pardons while Biden was physically in D.C. deserve serious scrutiny. Whether these hearings will provide clear answers remains to be seen, but they're certainly reshaping the conversation about presidential capacity and administrative transparency.

The Biden administration's inner workings faced fresh scrutiny yesterday as Steve Ricchetti, one of the president's most trusted confidants, appeared before House investigators. His testimony marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing probe into alleged efforts to shield Biden's cognitive state from public view.I've watched Ricchetti's career trajectory for years - from his Clinton-era beginnings to his emergence as a Washington power broker. Now, as the seventh former White House aide to face questioning, his voluntary appearance carries particular weight. Unlike some previous witnesses who invoked their Fifth Amendment rights, Ricchetti chose to engage directly with investigators.The House Oversight Committee's investigation, spearheaded by Kentucky Republican James Comer, has taken some unexpected turns. They're digging into claims that top aides might have concealed signs of cognitive decline and - perhaps more troublingly - that executive actions were signed via autopen without Biden's full comprehension. Having covered Washington for decades, I can tell you the autopen itself isn't unusual - but the circumstances here raise legitimate questions.What makes Ricchetti's testimony especially intriguing is his unique position in Biden's orbit. He's been there since 2012, when Biden was still VP. Some insiders - not entirely affectionately - dubbed Biden's inner circle the "Politburo," with Ricchetti as a key member. During my coverage of the 2023 debt ceiling crisis, I watched him navigate delicate negotiations with then-Speaker McCarthy.But here's what really caught my attention: reports emerged of a heated confrontation between Ricchetti and Rep. Pete Aguilar over Biden's political viability. That's not just office politics - it's a glimpse into real concerns within Democratic ranks.The investigation keeps widening. Tomorrow brings Mike Donilon, another Biden insider, to the committee room. Former Chief of Staff Ron Klain testified last week. Dr. Kevin O'Connor - the White House physician - along with advisers Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal chose to plead the Fifth rather than testify.From where I sit, this isn't just another partisan investigation. The questions about executive decision-making and the use of autopens for pardons while Biden was physically in D.C. deserve serious scrutiny. Whether these hearings will provide clear answers remains to be seen, but they're certainly reshaping the conversation about presidential capacity and administrative transparency.