White House Probes Biden’s Autopen Usage Amid Concerns Over Health and Decision Making

White House Probes Biden’s Autopen Usage Amid Concerns Over Health and Decision Making

EXCLUSIVE: The White House is currently conducting an examination into the usage of an autopen by former President Joe Biden. Senior administration officials have reported to Fox News Digital that they are already analyzing tens of thousands of documents submitted by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Leading the investigation is the White House Counsel’s Office, with indications that coordination is taking place with the Justice Department, according to officials who spoke to Fox News Digital.

Biden’s Single Hand-Signed Pardon Highlights Autopen Usage

The inquiry is focusing on communications and records related to Biden’s use of the autopen. One senior official indicated they are not prepared to make public any findings at this time, although the National Archives has already contributed over 27,000 records to the review.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized Biden’s presidency in stark terms, labeling him as “the worst, most incompetent, and senile president in our country’s history.” She continued, stating that it has become widely acknowledged that Biden “handed the power of the presidency to an autopen controlled by unelected leftist staffers,” suggesting this delegation led to detrimental decisions impacting the nation.

According to another official, the administration plans to eventually scrutinize upwards of one million documents related to Biden’s presidency and his autopen use over the years. This thorough review aims to deliver transparency to the American public concerning the former president’s health.

They emphasized the importance of establishing whether a policy existed for the proper use of the autopen. “What did the former president direct versus what he did not?” one official queried, explaining that the autopen’s legitimate use should align with explicit directives from the president.

In clarity, another official mentioned that the matter has been a priority for the administration since it began, underscoring the significance of the president’s signature in global matters.

Investigating Potential Misuse of the Autopen

The question arises, was the autopen misused during Biden’s tenure? An official noted that the White House and the Department of Justice are examining documents obtained from the National Archives, anticipating a thorough investigation of potentially hundreds of thousands of additional records.

While in office, Biden employed the autopen to sign numerous documents, including a last-minute wave of pardons that notably involved preemptive pardons for family members, Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and associates involved in the House committee’s investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol unrest. He only personally signed one pardon for his son Hunter Biden, despite previously promising the American people he would refrain from doing so.

In the final weeks of his presidency, Biden enacted clemency measures affecting over 1,500 individuals, an event publicized as the largest single-day act of clemency by a U.S. president.

An autopen functions as a mechanical device equipped to replicate a person’s signature. Unlike a mere stamp or digitized signature, this machine can handle various pen types ranging from ballpoint pens to permanent markers.

The crux of the inquiry raises significant concerns. Did Biden relinquish essential executive powers to unelected aides and a machine that holds the same legal authority as his right hand, simply because he lacked the capacity to fulfill his responsibilities? An official posed this question, further inquiring whether unelected staff leveraged autopen powers to shift national policies drastically.

In a recent interview, Biden defended his autopen usage by emphasizing that he made every significant decision independently. “We’re talking about granting clemency to a whole lot of people,” he stated.

However, the New York Times indicated that Biden did not verify each name included on the categorical pardons. This contrast has raised additional questions regarding the decision-making process behind these clemencies.

The inquiry also extends to congressional committees, including the House Oversight Committee, investigating Biden’s autopen usage while questioning his overall health during his presidency.

Congressional Investigations Run Parallel to White House Probe

A senior administration source acknowledged that the congressional effort happens simultaneously but reassured that the White House Counsel’s investigation remains distinct from the congressional inquiries.

Officials in the White House have labeled the investigation a massive effort, one they hope to conclude swiftly to provide clarity. “Lawyers are working diligently to obtain answers,” one official communicated. “It is crucial for the American populace to understand the extent to which the media may have obscured Biden’s health status and which decisions were made directly by him versus his aides.”

It remains abundantly clear that they elected a president, not merely a staff. Conversations surrounding the use of the autopen raise vital questions about the integrity of executive decision-making.

Trump’s Use of Autopen Contrasted with Biden’s Practices

As for former President Donald Trump, officials reported that he refrained from using the autopen for any matters classified as official business. His reliance on the device is limited to unofficial correspondence, including birthday letters or documentation for widely shared releases.

A White House official reiterated Trump’s practice stating that every executive order he signed was done publicly and in-person.

In June, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi in a memo to explore the autopen’s usage and its possible implications regarding Biden’s mental acuity.

As the investigation unfolds, the implications of Biden’s autopen usage are likely to resonate beyond the realm of administrative protocols, touching on broader discussions about the capacity and effectiveness of leadership.