❓WHAT HAPPENED: A top aide to former President Joe Biden testified before Congress regarding the use of an autopen to sign presidential directives and the approval process behind it, acknowledging she was unsure who actually gave final approval for the autopen’s use.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Neera Tanden, former director of Biden’s Domestic Policy Council, and members of the House Oversight Committee.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Tanden testified in a closed-door session on Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol.
💬KEY QUOTE: “[Tanden] explained that to obtain approval for autopen signatures, she would send decision memos to members of the President’s inner circle and had no visibility of what occurred between sending the memo and receiving it back with approval” – House Oversight Chairman James Comer.
🎯IMPACT: The testimony sheds light on the internal processes surrounding Biden’s use of autopen signatures and raises questions about transparency and oversight.
Neera Tanden, a senior aide to former President Joe Biden, testified before the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday in a closed-door session. Serving as Domestic Policy Council director and staff secretary from 2021 to 2023, Tanden was empowered to authorize the use of the autopen to sign orders and legislation on behalf of the President, but she admitted to the committee that she was unaware of who actually gave final approval before its use. The autopen was used, especially in the final year of Biden’s term in office, to sign numerous pardons, memos, executive orders, and other presidential directives.
According to Tanden’s testimony, the approval process for using the autopen was inherited from previous administrations. She explained that decision memos were sent to Biden’s inner circle for approval. However, Tanden reiterated that she was unaware of who specifically gave the final clearance and admitted that she had limited interaction with Biden during her tenure.
When asked whether she had discussed Biden’s health or fitness to serve as President, Tanden denied having such conversations. Lawmakers provided a list of officials she could have potentially discussed these issues with, but Tanden responded “no” to each name, according to sources familiar with the testimony.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Tanden said, “I just spoke with the House Oversight Committee, Majority and Minority Council. I answered every question, was pleased to discuss my public service and it was a thorough process. And I’m glad I answered everyone’s question.” When asked if there was any effort to conceal Biden’s condition, she responded, “Absolutely not.”
The investigation continues as the Oversight Committee plans to hear testimony from other key figures, including Biden’s former White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, and several other senior advisors. The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden described as the “Wizard of Oz” who ran the Biden White House, is refusing to testify, though Oversight chairman James Comer (R-KY) said the committee will move to subpoena Bernal. Additional aides facing subpoenas are Biden’s former chief of staff, Ron Klain, and communications advisor Anita Dunn.
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