Investigation targets Biden’s aides for allegedly concealing mental decline, as Biden insists he made all policy decisions.
Washington: On June 4, 2025, US President Donald Trump directed his White House counsel and Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether former President Joe Biden’s aides hid his alleged cognitive decline and improperly used an autopen to sign official documents, potentially undermining the legitimacy of Biden’s executive actions.
Autopen Controversy Takes Center Stage
Trump’s memorandum claims Biden’s aides abused presidential authority by using an autopen to sign over 1,200 documents, including pardons, executive orders, and memoranda, to conceal his mental decline. The probe will examine if aides conspired to deceive the public about Biden’s mental state and unconstitutionally exercised presidential powers. It also targets efforts to shield Biden’s health from public scrutiny, including any false claims about his cognitive abilities. A senior Justice Department official revealed on June 2 that the investigation includes Biden’s last-minute clemency grants to family members and death row inmates, questioning his competency during those decisions.
Biden Defends His Decisions
Biden, now 82 and battling aggressive prostate cancer, strongly refuted the allegations on June 4, stating, “I made the decisions during my presidency—pardons, executive orders, legislation, all of it. Any suggestion otherwise is ridiculous and false.” His team emphasized that autopen use is a well-established legal practice, citing a 2005 Justice Department opinion affirming its validity as long as the president authorizes the decision. Biden suggested Trump’s probe is a distraction from a controversial congressional bill extending tax cuts for the wealthy, which has drawn public criticism for favoring billionaires over middle-class Americans.
Political Context and Health Concerns
The investigation reignites debates over Biden’s mental fitness, a recurring Republican talking point. Biden stepped aside as the Democratic candidate in 2024 after a poor debate performance against Trump, who later defeated Kamala Harris in November. Recent revelations, including a book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson titled Original Sin, allege Biden’s aides minimized his public exposure to hide his declining acuity. Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis last month has further fueled scrutiny, though his team insists his mental sharpness remained intact during his term, despite visible aging.
Legal and Political Implications
Autopens have been used by presidents since Barack Obama first employed one to sign legislation in 2011, a practice deemed constitutional if the president directs its use. Trump himself admitted to using it for minor correspondence, but called Biden’s usage “disgraceful” for significant actions like pardons. The House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), is also investigating, requesting testimony from Biden’s aides and physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, to uncover who truly wielded executive power. Democrats, including Congressman Dan Goldman, have labeled the probe a distraction from Trump’s own controversies, accusing him of undermining democracy to benefit his allies. If Trump’s investigation finds evidence of unauthorized autopen use, it could challenge the validity of Biden’s actions, though legal experts doubt such claims will hold up given established precedents.
Public and Political Reactions
Sentiment on X reflects a polarized response. Some users echo Trump’s claims, with posts alleging a “Biden autopen scandal” involving top aides like Ron Klain and Anita Dunn, while others dismiss the investigation as a political stunt. Former President Bill Clinton, in a CBS interview, defended Biden, stating he believed Biden was mentally sound during his term, though he acknowledged age-related concerns. The investigation’s outcome could set a precedent for future executive authority disputes, but for now, it deepens the divide between Trump and Biden’s legacies.
