Archive · 29 Oct 2025
GOP Report Questions Biden's Autopen Use, Urges DOJ Probe
Some politicians in the House of Representatives wrote a big report about how President Biden signed papers.
They used a special pen called an autopen that signs his name for him.
The politicians said that maybe President Biden didn't really know about all the papers being signed with this pen because they think he wasn't feeling well mentally.
They think his helpers might have used the pen without telling him everything.
So, they sent this report to the grown-up helpers in the Justice Department and asked them to investigate.
They believe this could mean some of the decisions made during President Biden's time as president might not be valid.
President Biden and his team say this is not true and is just an attempt to cause trouble.
Other politicians agree and think this is a distraction from important government work.
House Republicans released a report questioning former President Joe Biden's use of the autopen for official actions.
The report claims Biden's aides may have used the autopen without his full awareness due to concerns about his mental acuity.
Republicans have sent the report to the Justice Department, urging a further investigation into the matter.
The report draws on interviews with Biden aides but does not provide concrete evidence of actions taken without Biden's approval.
Biden and Democrats deny the accusations, calling the investigation a distraction and claiming the former president authorized all actions.
- Who
- House Republicans
- What
- Released a report questioning former President Joe Biden's use of the autopen for official actions and urging the Justice Department to investigate.
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- Washington, D.C. (implied by House Republicans)
- Why
- Republicans claim Biden's mental state declined, leading aides to enact policies without his full awareness, potentially risking national security and the nation's trust. They also seek to invalidate actions signed with the autopen without documented proof of Biden's personal approval.
Republicans
Democrats and Biden
Use of Autopen and Biden's Competency
Republicans
Argues that Biden's mental state declined, leading aides to hide his cognitive decline and use the autopen for official actions without his full awareness, potentially putting national security at risk.
Democrats and Biden
Denies these accusations, calling them 'ridiculous and false' and a distraction. Democrats view the investigation as politically motivated and state that Biden authorized every action.
Validity of Actions Signed by Autopen
Republicans
Suggests actions approved with the autopen should be considered invalid unless there is documented proof of Biden personally authorizing them.
Democrats and Biden
While not explicitly stated in this article, the opposing view is implied by Democrats' stance that Biden authorized every action and by the general understanding that autopens are commonly used presidential tools, suggesting their validity.
Scrutiny of Aides and Doctor
Republicans
Republicans singled out senior aides Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini, and Biden's doctor Kevin O'Connor, for invoking their Fifth Amendment rights and believe they should face further scrutiny from the Justice Department. They also urged the D.C. Board of Medicine to discipline Dr. O'Connor.
Democrats and Biden
The article does not contain a direct opposing view from Democrats or Biden regarding the scrutiny of these individuals. However, the general Democratic stance of dismissing the probe as a 'sham investigation' implies opposition to the focus on these individuals.
- Report Release Date
- Tuesday
- Key Accusations
- Aides allegedly used autopen without full awareness of Biden's cognitive decline, potentially enacting policies without his knowledge and risking national security.
- Individuals Mentioned
- President Joe Biden, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Anthony Bernal, Annie Tomasini, Attorney General Pam Bondi
- Evidence Presented
- Report draws on interviews with Biden aides; offers no concrete evidence of actions taken without Biden's knowledge or approval; lacks full witness transcripts.
- Requested Action
- Republicans urged the Justice Department to investigate and called for disciplinary action against Dr. Kevin O'Connor's medical license.
- Report Length
- 100 pages
