Steve Ricchetti, a key advisor to President Joe Biden, recently underwent an extensive closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee, lasting over eight hours. Described by a source as “combative and defensive,” Ricchetti faced inquiries regarding concerns over Biden’s mental acuity and the implications of his age on his presidency. While he acknowledged the age-related issues, he firmly asserted his belief in Biden’s capability to fulfill presidential duties and expressed confidence that Biden could also win reelection in 2024.
Ricchetti, who has a long history with Biden dating back to 2012 when he served as counselor to the vice president, emphasized his close relationships with the Biden family, including Jill and Hunter Biden. His connections run deep, as several of his own children have also worked in the Democratic administration during Biden’s presidency. The significance of such familial ties underscores the level of commitment Ricchetti has towards the Biden administration and raises questions about potential biases in his defense of the president.
The ongoing investigation, led by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, aims to determine whether top aides like Ricchetti masked any cognitive decline of President Biden. Further, they are exploring the possibility that executive actions might have been conducted without Biden’s actual oversight, potentially using an autopen for his signature. Ricchetti marks the seventh former Biden aide to be called in for questioning, emphasizing the gravity of the investigation; notably, he is one of the few who cooperated voluntarily.
During the interview, Ricchetti distanced himself from a former White House doctor’s evaluations of Biden, clarifying that he was not directly involved but had engaged in discussions about how to present the president’s physical assessment to the public. He also addressed Biden’s reputation for verbal missteps, attributing these errors to common human mistakes rather than a decline in cognitive functions, emphasizing that the frequency of such gaffes has remained consistent since Biden’s tenure as vice president.
Most of the questioning during the marathon session came from Republican committee members, with Democrats reportedly attempting to redirect discussions towards former President Donald Trump. This indicates a partisan divide in the inquiry, highlighting the complex political landscape surrounding Biden’s presidency. Ricchetti, after the lengthy interrogation, opted not to comment to the press, maintaining a strategic silence that may reflect the ongoing scrutiny his statements could attract.
Despite the tension in the interview, the absence of lawmakers during the transcribed sessions is noteworthy. Such protocols typically involve direct interactions between investigators and witnesses; however, Ricchetti’s experience deviated from this norm. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of the findings could reverberate throughout Biden’s administration, impacting public perceptions of his leadership capabilities and the overall integrity of his office.
