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House Republicans on Tuesday called for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate what they describe as former President Joe Biden’s “Autopen Presidency,” alleging that top aides used a mechanical signing device to authorize executive actions without his direct involvement. The request follows a House Oversight Committee report accusing Biden’s staff and physician of concealing his declining health and questioning the legitimacy of certain executive actions, including presidential pardons, claims Democrats have dismissed as politically motivated and unsupported by evidence. Why It Matters If Biden’s executive actions are ultimately deemed invalid, the fallout could raise significant constitutional and legal questions. Presidential pardons, including those granted to members of Biden’s family and other political figures, could be challenged or rescinded, raising unprecedented questions about due process, double jeopardy, and the permanence of clemency. The controversy also carries broader implications for the presidency itself: if Biden’s use of the autopen is ultimately deemed improper, it could prompt stricter limits on delegated authority and documentation for future administrations—even though previous presidents, including Donald Trump, have also used the device for official correspondence and routine approvals. What To Know Early Tuesday, the Republican-chaired House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform published a staff report labeling the Biden administration as the "Autopen Presidency." The report alleges that Biden’s top advisers and physician concealed his physical and mental decline from the public, and that aides used the autopen to authorize executive actions and sign documents, sometimes without Biden’s direct knowledge or approval. The committee further claims that documentation about Biden’s decisions was insufficient or irregular, particularly regarding high-profile pardons—including ones involving his family. Oversight Chair James Comer, a Kentucky Republican and staunch Trump ally, has formally requested the DOJ, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, to conduct a comprehensive review of all executive actions taken during Biden’s presidency and scrutinize key aides Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Annie Tomasini, and Anthony Bernal. Each pleaded the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer the committee’s questions. Comer also referred O’Connor to the District of Columbia Board of Medicine, citing potential wrongdoing in his medical care of Biden. Democrats on the Oversight Committee characterized the probe as a distraction and a waste of time. The 100-page report outlines allegations of a cover-up, claiming that staff and select advisers maintained an appearance of executive competency while controlling access to the president and limiting unscripted interactions. The report argues that unless evidence proves Biden directly made executive decisions, actions taken using the autopen should be declared void. Despite exhaustive investigation, the committee did not identify a specific instance where aides enacted policy without Biden’s knowledge or approval. What People Are Saying Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, said: "The Biden Autopen Presidency will go down as one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. Our report reveals how key aides colluded to mislead the public and the extraordinary measures they took to sustain the appearance of presidential authority as Biden’s capacity to function independently diminished. We are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of these executive actions and scrutinize key Biden aides who took the Fifth to hide their participation in the cover-up. The D.C. Board of Medicine must also review the actions taken by President Biden’s physician to hide his true condition." California Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said: “Despite this sham investigation, every White House official testified President Biden fully executed his duties as President of the United States. The testimonies also make it clear the former President authorized every executive order, pardon, and use of the autopen." A Biden spokesperson told The Hill: “This investigation into baseless claims has confirmed what has been clear from the start: President Biden made the decisions of his presidency. There was no conspiracy, no cover-up, and no wrongdoing.” What Happens Next The DOJ has not yet indicated whether it will pursue the requested investigation into Biden-era executive actions or potential misconduct by his aides and physician. Should the Department launch a formal probe, legal scrutiny could focus on both the validity of autopen-signed documents and broader procedures used during the past administration. If the current administration chooses to challenge executive actions, pardons, or proclamations from Biden’s term, protracted legal and constitutional battles could result. Additionally, the D.C. Board of Medicine may review Dr. O’Connor's conduct, though as of yet, there is no public timeline for such proceedings. Democratic lawmakers have indicated they will resist any attempts to retroactively void legal decisions made during Biden’s presidency.
