admin
According to testimony from former Biden domestic policy chief Neera Tanden, decision memos seeking approval for autopen signatures were sent to members of President Biden’s inner circle for final authorization. Tanden acknowledged using the autopen but denied any cover-up regarding Biden’s mental acuity during this process.
The approval system described by Tanden has raised serious constitutional concerns among critics. Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) contends that if Biden didn’t personally understand the documents signed via autopen, it “invalidates not only many of his orders but frankly a lot of bills that went through”. This controversy stems from reports that over 1,200 presidential documents were signed via autopen during Biden’s presidency, particularly during periods when his cognitive decline appeared most evident.
The White House has defended the autopen’s use as legally valid presidential action. However, congressional Republicans have launched investigations into whether Biden’s advisors improperly wielded presidential power by using the mechanical signature device while allegedly concealing the president’s incapacity. These inquiries focus on determining precisely which members of Biden’s inner circle authorized specific autopen usage and whether they overstepped legal boundaries.
