In the latest twist of Washington’s political drama, the House Oversight Committee is officially stepping up its game with a subpoena aimed at none other than Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Biden’s former physician. This comes after Dr. O’Connor refused to volunteer for an interview, leaving Chairman James Comer no choice but to demand his presence for a formal deposition slated for June 27th. The focus? President Biden’s mental acuity, or perhaps the lack thereof, during his tenure as commander-in-chief. The Republicans, with their detective hats firmly in place, are honing in on Dr. O’Connor’s previous statements that robustly painted the president as healthy, active, and vigorous.

Now, while Dr. O’Connor may have publicly cheered Biden’s ability to execute presidential duties without any accommodations, behind closed doors, the story allegedly took a more concerning turn. According to Alex Thompson’s book, there were serious discussions among White House insiders about the possibility of Biden needing a wheelchair due to a worsening halting walk. Imagine the president wheeling around the Oval Office until after Election Day. Talk about a political strategy! The book also mentions Dr. O’Connor’s off-the-record remarks about the toll the presidency was taking on Biden’s health, even jesting that Biden’s staff seemed bent on endangering his well-being while O’Connor played the heroial role of keeping him alive. If true, does this spell trouble for the veritable fortress of health claims made by the Biden administration?

This situation has stirred a pot of controversies, raising ethical questions about the confidentiality between a president and their doctor. Critics argue that subpoenaing presidential doctors might open a can of worms, reminiscent of calling Trump’s doctor to the stand to elaborate on the former president’s weight or COVID-19 recovery. Now, if this were a game called “Presidential Doctor Whack-a-Mole,” both sides might walk away bruised. The Democrats, who are not blind to Biden’s inconsistent airings during press events, argue that allowances must be made due to human variances. However, they should probably pick their battles wisely if they intend to volley cognitive tests back and forth.

In contrast, some on the Republican side seem to be issuing a rallying cry for annual cognitive tests for all presidents. After all, the public deserves reassurance that the individual with access to the nuclear codes is mentally sharp, no matter how one might perform on a golf course. Others are more skeptical about the necessity of such hearings, claiming that voters already have the insight needed through Biden’s public appearances. If Biden’s gaffes are any measure, it’s clear something’s out of step. Still, it’s the clarity of national policy outcomes that should be the focal point of concern.

As Congress hammers out the probing questions to throw at Dr. O’Connor, the potential implications surrounding Biden’s capability to govern loom large over serious national security discussions. When a nation questions whether its leader can complete the job without telling stories about imaginary relatives or faux pas involving foreign dignitaries, it reverberates through how policies are formed and enacted. It goes without saying that the GOP should seize this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the nexus between presidential health and leadership outcomes, ensuring that the public’s perspective is clearly understood. Unearthing such truths might just confirm what many already suspect: some folks are better suited as political spectators rather than playmakers, resting on laurels or otherwise.