(TJV NEWS) As Modernity News reports, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer is intensifying his investigation into President Joe Biden’s inner circle, requesting depositions from four former staff members as well as Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician. Comer is seeking to determine whether these individuals exerted undue influence over the president, potentially acting as “de facto Presidents” amid concerns over Biden’s cognitive health.

In an appearance on Fox News with host Jesse Watters, Comer referred to the former aides as “unelected bureaucrats” and “main gatekeepers” to the Biden White House. He declined to name them specifically, stating that they are not widely known figures, but asserted they operated “behind the scenes” with significant authority.

“These are the unelected bureaucrats that we believe had an overwhelming influence over Joe Biden,” Comer said. “They fly under the radar, but they could have possibly been serving as de facto presidents of the United States.”

Comer emphasized that before issuing subpoenas, the committee will extend formal invitations for voluntary testimony. “The first step to issue a successful subpoena is to offer someone an invitation, a sincere request to come in and answer questions,” he explained.

“We’re going to bring these people in for depositions and transcribed interviews,” he told Watters. “The American people want to know the truth.”

In a separate conversation with Breitbart’s Alex Marlow, Comer reiterated his intent to move beyond the constraints of standard congressional hearings, which often limit members to five-minute questioning segments. He stated a desire to conduct longer, more substantive interviews without interruptions.

Comer also signaled a strong interest in questioning Dr. Kevin O’Connor, particularly regarding his public statements on President Biden’s health. “We want to know who instructed him to declare that Biden was a ‘picture of health,’” Comer said. “Was he misled, pressured by political interests, or acting under direction from the Democratic Party or others?”

According to Comer, while his committee can investigate, it lacks the authority to prosecute. He expressed hope that allies such as former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice would pursue legal action where warranted.

As Modernity News notes, this push from Comer comes amid growing concerns about President Biden’s mental acuity, which have been amplified by recent events and health disclosures. Critics argue that the public discussion of Biden’s past cancer diagnosis may have been intended to deflect attention from his cognitive condition — but has instead intensified scrutiny.