Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican, has sparked controversy by calling for subpoenas of key figures in the Biden administration over concerns regarding former President Joe Biden's health, as Breitbart reports.

The demand arises following Anthony Bernal, former chief of staff to then-first lady Jill Biden, choosing to exercise his Fifth Amendment rights during a House Oversight Committee deposition.

The deposition, conducted on Wednesday, featured questioning of Bernal by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Led by Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee sought clarity on whether any unelected officials or family members had assumed the duties of the presidency. They also inquired about whether Biden had ever instructed Bernal to lie regarding his health.

Transparency in the spotlight

Comer referred to Bernal's decision to remain silent as a "historic scandal," emphasizing the political gravity of the situation. This act of pleading the Fifth has led Donalds to express deep concerns about the transparency and integrity of the Biden administration's operations.

Donalds has been vocal in his criticism, stating, "Corruption at the highest level" has left him questioning the legitimacy of actions taken during Biden’s time in office. His assertion further underscores his belief that Biden may not have been fully capable of executing the duties of his office.

The Florida congressman has indicated that if Biden had  been incapacitated, there is a possibility that some administrative decisions made during his term could be considered invalid. Donalds’ comments contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the former president’s health and the overall accountability of his administration.

Calls grow for additional subpoenas

In light of Bernal’s reticence, Donalds is calling for a sweeping inquiry by the House Oversight Committee. He insists that former Vice President Kamala Harris and other senior figures must testify to shed light on the situation.

Donalds emphasized, "If you cannot say, answer a simple question about Joe Biden’s capabilities, then that further demonstrates that he was not in charge of his Administration."

He further stated that Harris, given her former presidential ambitions, is a key figure who should "come in and tell us what she knew and when she knew it." This places Harris in the spotlight, generating further political discussion about the transparency of the Democratic Party leadership.

Donalds also expressed empathy towards family members pressed with such inquiries, acknowledging their desire to protect their loved ones. However, he asserted, "If you can’t answer a basic question to the mental capabilities of President Biden, then, as far as I’m concerned, you now have to answer to the American people."

Reactions pour in

Several opinion polls reveal widespread skepticism among U.S. adults regarding the extent to which Democrats may have withheld information about Biden’s health.

This public sentiment further amplifies the political stakes surrounding the issue.

Conversely, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has decided to provide transparency regarding President Donald Trump's health, stating that he has been diagnosed with "chronic venous insufficiency," a benign condition.

Leavitt’s announcement is perceived by some as a direct juxtaposition to current Democratic Party criticisms.

Leavitt explained that Trump disclosed his health condition "in the effort of transparency," which has added another layer of comparative analysis to the discussions about Biden's health disclosures.

Claims of deception persist

Donalds' ongoing campaign for transparency is centered on the belief that some individuals in power might have concealed Biden’s actual health status from the public. This notion has fueled demands for further investigations and testimonies.

The debate over executive responsibility and how it's managed, especially during health crises, remains a focal point of political discussions. The call for subpoenas represents another chapter in the unfolding discourse surrounding leadership accountability.

The current situation underscores the significance of transparency in governance and the importance of ensuring that all executive duties are performed by duly elected and competent individuals.