Monday, February 23, 2026

House Oversight Report: Some Biden Autopen Actions ‘Illegitimate,’ DOJ Must Investigate.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Republican-led House Oversight Committee released a report questioning the legitimacy of some executive actions signed by autopen during Joe Biden’s presidency, citing concerns about his mental fitness.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), former President Joe Biden, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Hunter Biden.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report was issued on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., as part of ongoing investigations into Biden’s presidency.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency,” Biden claimed in a prior statement, rejecting claims of impropriety.

🎯IMPACT: The findings could lead to Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations or legal challenges regarding Biden’s executive actions, including pardons.

IN FULL

The House Oversight Committee has asserted that some executive actions signed by autopen during Joe Biden’s presidency may be invalid. The committee cited concerns about Biden’s cognitive abilities and claimed that actions signed without direct written approval from the president should be considered void.

In a letter accompanying the report, Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and investigate Biden’s executive actions, suggesting the authorities should “void all executive actions signed by the autopen without proper, corresponding, contemporaneous, written approval traceable to the president’s own consent.”

The report specifically highlighted pardons issued by Biden, including those for family members, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and people involved in the January 6 investigation. Biden also pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, on federal charges, which he previously promised he would not do.

The report comes amid Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations into several individuals who either oversaw or executed lawfare operations against President Donald J. Trump. Trump has also urged Bondi to investigate Biden’s mental fitness and his use of the autopen.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, addressing the Oversight Committee’s findings, called the report “unprecedented.” He stated that while there is no legal precedent for overturning a presidential pardon, the current situation is “uncharted territory,” and a number of Biden’s pardons are likely “invalid.”

Democrats on the committee have dismissed the report as a partisan effort, with Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) calling it a “sham investigation.” A spokesman for Biden claims that the investigation had confirmed no wrongdoing and accused Republicans of pursuing political retribution.

The report also accuses Biden’s aides of shielding his alleged cognitive decline from the public. However, Biden has consistently denied these claims, stating, “I made the decisions during my presidency.”

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Oversight Committee Rips Ex-Biden Aide in Autopen Probe.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The House Oversight Committee criticized former Biden spokesman Andrew Bates over his opening remarks during an investigation into the usage of autopen for executive decisions under former President Joe Biden.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Andrew Bates, the House Oversight Committee, and Chairman James Comer (R-KY).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Friday, September 5, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Andrew Bates was part of the Biden cognitive decline cover-up, and he’s delusional,” an Oversight Committee spokesman stated.

🎯IMPACT: The investigation into President Biden’s cognitive state and the alleged use of autopen for clemency orders is raising questions about executive decision-making and transparency.

IN FULL

The House Oversight Committee is blasting Andrew Bates, a former Biden spokesman, over his remarks during a probe into the use of an autopen for executive actions under former President Joe Biden. Bates, who recently participated in an interview with House investigators, deflected questions regarding Biden’s cognitive state, instead using his opening statement to attack the investigation and President Donald J. Trump’s policies.

“Andrew Bates was part of the Biden cognitive decline cover-up, and he’s delusional,” an Oversight Committee spokesman said in response to Bates’s leaked opening statement. The spokesman added that Bates’s remarks “peddled the same fantasy he’s been trying to sell the American people,” noting that the public witnessed President Biden’s cognitive decline firsthand.

In his statement, Bates expressed pride in supporting Biden as President, claiming it was “universally understood that Joe Biden was in charge” during his time in the White House.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), is investigating whether senior White House aides covered up signs of President Biden’s mental decline and whether executive decisions were signed off on via autopen without Biden’s full awareness. The investigation is particularly focused on clemency orders signed in the latter half of Biden’s term.

Biden allies have dismissed the probe as politically motivated, while the Oversight Committee maintains that the investigation is uncovering significant transparency and governance issues.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Top Biden Aide Doesn’t Know Who Approved Autopen Signatures.

PULSE POINTS

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.

IN FULL

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.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Who is Biden’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ Refusing to Testify Before Congress?

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden, is refusing to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and potential misuse of the autopen.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Anthony Bernal, Representative James Comer (R-KY), Neera Tanden, and other Biden government aides.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bernal declined to testify on June 26, 2025, following the White House Counsel’s Office announcement on June 25, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth.” – Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: The Oversight Committee plans to subpoena Bernal to compel testimony as part of the investigation into Biden’s fitness for office.

IN FULL

Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden described as the “Wizard of Ozwho ran the Biden White House, is refusing to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and potential misuse of the autopen. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced on Wednesday that Bernal declined to appear for a June 26 interview, despite the White House waiving his executive privilege.

Comer criticized Bernal’s decision, stating, “Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal—Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’—never intended to be transparent about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up. With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and the Oversight Committee will not tolerate this obstruction. I will promptly issue a subpoena to compel Anthony Bernal’s testimony before the Committee.”

Bernal had initially agreed to participate in a transcribed interview. However, following the White House Counsel’s Office announcement that executive privilege for nine former Biden aides had been waived, Bernal’s legal team informed the committee he would no longer appear.

Comer also referenced testimony from Neera Tanden, the former White House staff secretary, who testified that she had minimal interaction with President Biden despite holding significant authority over the autopen process. Comer noted, “Her testimony raises serious questions about who was really calling the shots in the Biden White House amid the president’s obvious decline. We will continue to pursue the truth for the American people.”

Bernal is one of four Biden government aides, including Neera Tanden, Ashley Williams, and Annie Tomasini, who had previously agreed to transcribed interviews. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House doctor, is scheduled to testify in a closed-door deposition on July 9.

A secret recording of now-former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg and Biden White House staffer Deterrian Jones, covered by The National Pulse in Ma,y shows the pair describing Bernal as wielding “an enormous amount of power” and “scary.”

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Here’s What We Know About the Investigation into Biden’s Autopen Use.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating former President Joe Biden’s pardons and use of autopen signatures.

👥 Who’s Involved: Former President Biden, U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, the Oversight Project (Heritage Foundation), and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Investigation revealed Monday email; events tied to Biden’s presidency and final day in office.

💬 Key Quote: “The investigation involves whether Biden was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of AutoPen or other means,” wrote Ed Martin.

⚠️ Impact: Focus includes pardons granted to Biden’s family members, high-profile Democrats and neoconservatives, and 37 federal inmates. Questions arise over the validity of the pardons and the potential misuse of the autopen.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an inquiry into former President Joe Biden’s use of autopen signatures and the validity of pardons issued during his presidency, according to an email reviewed by Reuters. U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin’s correspondence highlights concerns about Biden’s competence and whether others may have exploited his position through autopen or other mechanisms.

The investigation reportedly centers on preemptive pardons Biden granted to several family members and clemency decisions for 37 federal inmates, changing their sentences from death penalties to life imprisonment. Among those pardoned on Biden’s final day in office were his brother Jim, sister-in-law Sara, sister Valerie and her husband John Owens, brother Francis, Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House January 6 committee, such as Liz Cheney.

The Oversight Project, a division of the conservative Heritage Foundation, has previously raised concerns about Biden’s frequent use of an autopen for his official signature. The group stated in March, “We gathered every document we could find with Biden’s signature over the course of his presidency. All used the same autopen signature except for the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year.” They questioned who controlled the autopen.

President Donald J. Trump has also claimed Biden used an autopen for pardons, alleging Biden was unaware of the actions. Martin has remarked, “I do think that the Biden pardons need some scrutiny. And they need scrutiny because we want pardons to matter and to be accepted and to be something that’s used correctly.”

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Biden Pardon Probe Will Include Autopen Subpoenas, Pledges Top Republican.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Pardon Attorney Ed Martin confirmed an investigation into Joe Biden’s end-of-term pardons, including those for Hunter Biden and Liz Cheney, amid claims they were signed with an autopen while Biden was mentally unfit.

👥Who’s Involved: Ed Martin, President Donald J. Trump, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, and former President Joe Biden.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., with Martin’s announcement on May 19, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The integrity of the American Pardon system requires that we examine the Biden pardons and who did what,” Ed Martin stated.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s DOJ, led by Martin, is exposing potential abuses in Biden’s pardons, reinforcing America First accountability while uncovering who truly ran the White House during Biden’s decline.

IN FULL:

Newly appointed Pardon Attorney Ed Martin has confirmed that pardons issued by former President Joe Biden at the end of his term are being investigated. “The integrity of the American Pardon system requires that we examine the Biden pardons and who did what,” he said of the pardons, issued to controversial figures including Biden’s son, Hunter, and members of the January 6 Committee, such as Liz Cheney. We will get to the bottom of it. Count on us,” Martin vowed.

A prominent America First voice, Martin initially served President Donald J. Trump as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia but could not continue after Republican-in-name-only Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) blocked his confirmation. President Trump has now appointed him as Pardon Attorney and leader of a Weaponization Working Group in the Department of Justice instead.

Martin’s confirmation of an investigation into Biden’s pardons comes as James Comer (R-KY), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, says evidence has been uncovered that, “[W]hat we’ve found is, not just with the pardons he issued, but many of the executive orders that the courts are now using to Trump-proof many of the executive orders that President Trump is trying to implement to make government more efficient… these were all signed with the autopen.”

“Joe Biden wasn’t capable of making decisions; he wasn’t coherent,” Comer said of the period when these pardons and executive orders were signed. “We think we’ve identified who the staffers are… We’re going to bring everyone that we believe was involved in any role in the use of the autopen. We’re going to invite them to come in for a transcribed interview; if they won’t, then they will receive a subpoena and they will have a full-blown deposition—but we want to find out who was actually making the decisions in the White House during the last nine months of the Biden administration when he was clearly in decline.”

President Trump has also argued that Biden’s autopen pardons should be considered “VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT,” suggesting his predecessor “did not know anything about them!”

Further questions over Biden’s mental and physical health were raised over the weekend, when it was revealed he is suffering from “aggressive” prostate cancer, likely present during a significant portion of his time in office.

WATCH:

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Trump Declares Biden Pardons ‘VOID.’

President Donald J. Trump has declared that pardons issued by former President Joe Biden are invalid, as they were signed using an autopen without Biden’s knowledge. In a Truth Social post, Trump asserted that Biden’s decision to pardon members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol protests, among others, is “VOID.” Trump argues that Biden did not personally approve the documents, suggesting a potential crime was committed in their authorization.

“The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen,” President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform. “In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them!”

Trump’s statements follow concerns raised by the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project, which suggested Biden’s extensive use of an autopen during his presidency. The project collected numerous documents bearing Biden’s signature, identifying most as produced using an autopen.

Biden announced his pardons on January 20, his final day in office, covering a range of individuals, including former military leaders, health officials, congressional committee members, and Capitol police officers. Referring to January 6 Committee members, Trump said they “destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two year Witch Hunt of me, and many other innocent people, [and] should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level.”

Asked aboard Air Force One about the validity of documents signed by autopen, Trump suggested a court would ultimately decide the matter.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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President Donald J. Trump has declared that pardons issued by former President Joe Biden are invalid, as they were signed using an autopen without Biden’s knowledge. In a Truth Social post, Trump asserted that Biden's decision to pardon members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol protests, among others, is "VOID." Trump argues that Biden did not personally approve the documents, suggesting a potential crime was committed in their authorization. show more