Former White House aide Neera Tanden admits she directed autopen signatures for Biden but doesn’t know who gave final approval, raising serious questions about who was actually running the country during Biden’s presidency.
Key Takeaways
- House Oversight Committee investigation reveals Tanden was authorized to use Biden’s autopen signature from October 2021 to May 2023, even when Biden was physically present at the White House
- Tanden testified she directed autopen signatures but couldn’t identify who in Biden’s inner circle gave final approval, suggesting a concerning lack of presidential oversight
- Committee Chairman James Comer is investigating whether executive actions were signed without Biden’s direct knowledge or explicit consent
- Multiple former Biden aides are scheduled for interviews, including Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former physician, who is set to testify under subpoena on July 9
- Republicans seek to determine who was actually making presidential decisions while Democrats dismiss the investigation as politically motivated
Autopen Authorization Without Clear Approval Chain
The House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the Biden administration’s use of autopen technology has uncovered disturbing details about who was actually running the executive branch. In a closed-door session yesterday, former White House aide Neera Tanden testified that she was authorized to direct the use of an autopen for presidential signatures but couldn’t identify who in Biden’s inner circle gave final clearance for these signatures. This revelation raises serious concerns about whether Biden was actually approving or even aware of executive actions being taken in his name.
Committee Chairman James Comer has focused the investigation on determining whether Biden’s mental decline led to executive actions being authorized without his explicit approval. Particularly troubling is evidence that the autopen was used even when Biden was physically present at the White House, suggesting his staff may have been circumventing his authority. Tanden’s inability to identify who gave final approval for these signatures points to a concerning lack of accountability within what was supposedly Biden’s administration.
The White House counsel Tuesday said ex-Biden aide Neera Tanden is not shielded by executive privilege and thus must provide “unrestricted testimony” on former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity.
The decision was issued before Tanden appeared before the GOP-led House Oversight…
— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) June 24, 2025
Tanden Defends Practice While Questions Remain
During her testimony, Tanden attempted to normalize the practice, claiming it followed protocols established by previous administrations. However, her limited interactions with Biden and lack of information about the final approval process only deepens concerns about who was actually making presidential decisions. When asked whether there was any effort to disguise Biden’s deteriorating condition, Tanden’s response was brief but telling: “Absolutely not,” she claimed, despite mounting evidence of Biden’s cognitive issues that eventually forced him to drop his reelection bid.
“This is the first of what will be many interviews with people we believe were involved in the autopen scandal in the Biden administration,” said Committee Chairman James Comer.
While Tanden maintained she was authorized to use the autopen from October 2021 to May 2023 while serving as staff secretary and senior adviser, she provided no convincing explanation for why this authorization was necessary when Biden was physically present and supposedly capable of signing documents himself. This gap in her testimony further suggests a systematic effort to work around Biden rather than through him, raising profound constitutional questions about who was truly exercising executive power.
Investigation Expands to Biden’s Inner Circle
The committee’s investigation is far from over. Multiple former Biden aides are scheduled for interviews, including Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams, and Annie Tomasini. Most significantly, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician, is set to testify under subpoena on July 9. His testimony could provide crucial insights into Biden’s actual mental and physical condition during his time in office and whether he was truly capable of fulfilling his constitutional duties.
“I answered every question, I was pleased to discuss my public service, and I think it was a thorough process, and I’m glad I answered every question,” said Neera Tanden.
Republicans are also seeking interviews with former chief of staff Ron Klain and former senior advisor Anita Dunn, both of whom likely played key roles in the approval chain for presidential actions. Chairman Comer has promised transparency in the investigation, emphasizing that all transcripts will be released after the interviews are completed. The American people deserve to know who was actually governing during Biden’s presidency and whether constitutional processes were deliberately circumvented to hide his incapacity.
