ISTANBUL

Former White House chief of staff Jeff Zienst recently testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee regarding former US President Joe Biden’s cognitive health as part of a Republican-led investigation.

Zients shared how he urged Biden’s doctor to conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation, including a cognitive exam, according to CNN.

A source familiar with the testimony said Zients told the committee that Biden increasingly struggled to recall names and dates during his time in office.

The testimony is part of an ongoing inquiry examining whether President Biden experienced mental decline — and whether any efforts were made to conceal it.

Several of Biden’s close former aides have been interviewed as part of the probe.

Zients testified that following Biden’s widely criticized debate performance last year, he recommended that he undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation by White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor. The doctor reportedly agreed to consider the suggestion.

While Zients declined to comment to CNN about his testimony, Dr. O’Connor had previously refused to answer questions during his own appearance before the committee in July.

Zients said that prior to the debate, Biden had a cold, but he had never seen the president behave as he did on stage — including moments of what he described as “mental freezes.”

Following the debate, Zients testified that he and other advisers felt Biden should consider exiting the race.

Zients also noted that Jill Biden spoke to him about ensuring the president got adequate rest and was not overburdened with a hectic schedule.

This conversation reportedly took place in 2023.

During his testimony, Zients referenced discussions with other former senior aides, including Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, both of whom invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and declined to answer questions during their interviews.

Zients underlined that his role was to ensure Biden consulted with a wide range of advisers before making decisions, although Biden ultimately made the final calls himself.

Zients also expressed full confidence in Biden’s ability to serve as president.