Former Vice President Kamala Harris finds herself back on the national stage as she plans a listening tour across America, but her return may be more complicated than expected.
According to Fox News, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has indicated Harris could be called to testify in his probe examining whether Biden administration officials concealed evidence of the former president's cognitive decline. During an appearance on "The Ingraham Angle," Comer stated that "the odds of Kamala Harris getting a subpoena are very high."
The Kentucky Republican suggested Harris's decision not to run for California governor could work in his committee's favor, giving her "more time to come before the House Oversight Committee and testify about Joe Biden's cognitive decline."
Comer's investigation has already involved interviews with several former Biden administration officials as part of what Republicans call a "cover-up" probe examining who knew what about the former president's mental capacity.
The timing is particularly sensitive as Harris reportedly prepares for a possible 2028 presidential run, with her forthcoming book about her short-lived 2024 campaign expected to maintain her political relevance in the interim. Her recent appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" fueled speculation about her future political ambitions despite her claims of wanting to step back from "the system."
Legal experts note that compelling Harris to testify could create challenging optics for someone with future presidential aspirations, though she occupied a unique position within Biden's inner circle that makes her testimony potentially valuable.
Former House Oversight Committee Chair Trey Gowdy expressed skepticism about how productive Harris's testimony might be if she were called before the committee.
While acknowledging Harris would be a "legitimate" witness, Gowdy predicted her legal team would likely raise executive privilege claims that could significantly delay any appearance. "I can't think of an advisor that would be closer to a president than his or her vice president," Gowdy told Fox News Digital, suggesting privilege disputes could take years to resolve.
Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley agreed that Harris held a "natural" place in the investigation but warned that investigators would need to prepare specific questions to avoid vague responses based on opinion rather than fact.
Harris has carefully positioned herself since leaving office, declining to pursue California's governorship despite speculation she might seek the role.
During her Colbert appearance, Harris expressed concerns about American democracy, stating, "I believe, and I always believed, that as fragile as our democracy is, our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. And I think right now that, they're not as strong as they need to be." This statement has been interpreted by some as laying groundwork for a future presidential campaign.
Her announced listening tour aims to connect with voters across the political spectrum and support fellow Democrats, maintaining her visibility without immediately declaring future electoral intentions.
The practical reality of congressional subpoenas presents challenges for Comer's investigation if Harris chooses not to cooperate.
Gowdy highlighted the limitations of congressional subpoena power compared to that of prosecutors or judges. "Prosecutors can send cops and have [people] brought in. Congress can't do that," he explained, adding that congressional power "is only as good as what you can do to enforce it."
Neither Harris nor Democrats on the House Oversight Committee responded to requests for comment about Comer's subpoena threat. A spokesperson for former President Biden declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.
