Steve Ricchetti, former counselor to President Biden and a key member of his inner “Politburo,” testified before the House Oversight Committee for more than eight hours. The voluntary session formed part of Republicans’ investigation into whether senior aides concealed Biden’s mental decline or used autopen to sign documents without his approval.
Ricchetti forcefully denied any cover‑up. He insisted Biden remained “fully capable” of performing all presidential duties and asserted that neither he nor others ever usurped the president’s authority—and that all key decisions were made with Biden’s knowledge. He was described by sources as “combative and defensive” as he refuted allegations of misconduct.
He admitted that President Biden’s advanced age was acknowledged internally but insisted concerns were treated as political messaging rather than real cognitive impairment. Ricchetti presented gaffes and missteps as normal human error—not evidence of incapacity.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R‑Ky.) described Ricchetti’s testimony as lacking new revelations. Comer highlighted discrepancies with other testimonies, noting several former aides invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned. He plans to compile all transcripts and issue a formal report.
Critics argue the probe serves more as political theater under the Trump administration, with targets chosen to reinforce narratives about Biden’s alleged decline. Ricchetti rejected the premise as a partisan distraction from pressing domestic issues.
Ricchetti is the seventh former Biden aide to testify; full hearings, including former chief of staff Ron Klain and policy adviser Mike Donilon, are scheduled. Several witnesses have opted to plead the Fifth.
