Joe Biden denies mental decline, calls Donald Trump probe a distraction as Republicans question autopen use and family pardons
Joe Biden has denied losing control of the presidency and slammed Donald Trump¡¯s investigation into his use of the autopen and final pardons. As Republicans raise questions about Biden¡¯s mental state, Democrats call the inquiry political theatre without evidence.
Former President Joe Biden has rejected claims that he was not in control of his executive decisions, responding to criticism from Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. The accusations center on Biden¡¯s use of an autopen¡ªan established device used to sign official documents¡ªand the final set of pardons and executive actions issued before he left office.
Biden responded in a statement, saying, ¡°I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn¡¯t is ridiculous and false.¡± He further accused Trump and Republican lawmakers of distracting the public from proposed legislation that could harm essential services.
Trump orders investigation into Biden¡¯s actions
President Donald Trump has directed an official investigation into Biden¡¯s actions, alleging that aides concealed signs of mental decline. Trump¡¯s memo described the matter as a major scandal, claiming the public was unaware of who was truly making decisions during Biden¡¯s term.
The memo added that Biden¡¯s signature had been used to authorize sweeping policy changes. Trump appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House counsel David Warrington to lead the probe.
US President Donald Trump | Credit: X
Republican focus on autopen, final orders
Though the use of autopen has long been deemed valid by the Justice Department, Congressional Republicans are pressing for answers. House Oversight Chairman James Comer is leading the charge, demanding interviews with five of Biden¡¯s former senior aides and warning that subpoenas may follow if they do not cooperate.
¡°These five former senior advisors were eyewitnesses to President Biden¡¯s condition and operations within the Biden White House,¡± Comer stated. He also called on Biden¡¯s physician and other former aides to testify.
Republicans argue that Biden¡¯s last-minute executive decisions, including pardons and clemency orders, may not be valid if Biden lacked full mental control at the time. Rep. Brandon Gill said, ¡°The American people didn¡¯t elect a bureaucracy to run the country... they want to know the truth.¡±
Book allegations, pardon controversy
Fueling the inquiry are claims from Original Sin, a book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which alleges that five individuals effectively ran the government while Biden acted more as a figurehead. Biden¡¯s family has rejected the claims, with his granddaughter Naomi Biden calling the book ¡°political fairy smut.¡±
The investigation also focuses on Biden¡¯s final pardons, including pre-emptive ones for five family members and clemency for 37 federal inmates. Biden had defended the family pardons, saying they were necessary to prevent politically motivated probes. Among those pardoned was his son Hunter Biden, convicted on firearms-related charges.
In his final hours in office, Biden also issued pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riot.
Democrats dismiss allegations
Democrats have dismissed the GOP-led investigation. Rep. Jamie Raskin said, ¡°Chairman Comer had his big shot in the last Congress to impeach Joe Biden and it was... a spectacular flop. He should give up the whole thing.¡±
The controversy follows Biden¡¯s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race after a poor debate performance. He was replaced by Kamala Harris, who later lost the election to Trump.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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