Key Biden Insider Admits Wielding Autopen Authority
Key Biden Insider Admits Wielding Autopen Authority for Nearly Two Years
A former high-ranking Biden administration official revealed during congressional testimony that she possessed authority to direct the use of an automated signature device on behalf of President Biden for nearly two years.
Neera Tanden appeared before House investigators for four hours of closed-door questioning on Tuesday, marking the first major interview in what lawmakers describe as an expanding investigation into the Biden administration’s use of presidential signature automation.
The former White House Domestic Policy Council director told committee members she held responsibility for managing document flow between the president and various government agencies during her tenure as staff secretary.
Tanden confirmed she maintained authorization to direct autopen usage from October 2021 through May 2023, a period spanning nearly 20 months of the Biden presidency.
“As staff secretary, I was responsible for handling the flow of documents to and from the president,” Tanden stated during her opening remarks to investigators.
She disclosed that her office inherited existing protocols for autopen authorization from previous administrations and continued implementing those procedures throughout her time in the White House.
“I was also authorized to direct that autopen signatures be affixed to certain categories of documents. We had a system for authorizing the use of the autopen that I inherited from prior administrations. We employed that system throughout my tenure as staff secretary,” Tanden explained to committee members.
The testimony revealed that Tanden’s autopen authority ended in May 2023, when she transitioned out of her staff secretary role and no longer held responsibility for directing the signature device’s usage.
Following her congressional appearance, Tanden faced questions from reporters about potential efforts to conceal concerns regarding Biden’s mental acuity during his presidency.
When pressed on whether administration officials engaged in any cover-up related to Biden’s cognitive abilities, Tanden responded definitively: “Absolutely not.”
The former aide maintained that her White House experience provided no basis for questioning Biden’s presidential capabilities or leadership.
“I had no experience in the White House that would provide any reason to question [Biden’s] command as president,” Tanden declared to reporters.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer indicated that Tanden’s testimony represents the beginning of a broader investigation into autopen practices within the Biden administration.
“This is the first of what will be many interviews with people that we believe were involved in the autopen scandal in the Biden administration,” Comer stated following Tuesday’s session.
The Kentucky Republican expressed confidence that additional witness interviews would provide greater insight into White House decision-making processes and signature authorization protocols.
Committee investigators have scheduled upcoming interviews with former Biden aides Annie Tomasini and Ashley Williams as part of their expanding inquiry.
The oversight panel also seeks testimony from former White House chief of staff Ron Klain and senior adviser Anita Dunn regarding their knowledge of autopen procedures and authorization chains.
Biden’s longtime physician, Kevin O’Connor, has been scheduled to provide deposition testimony on July 9 as investigators examine potential medical considerations related to signature authorization decisions.
Former First Lady Jill Biden is expected to appear before committee members later this week to address questions about her knowledge of White House signature practices and presidential document handling.
The Washington Examiner reported that Comer expressed preference for conducting transcribed interviews rather than public committee hearings, citing their superior ability to gather substantive information from witnesses.
“I always prefer the transcribed interview/deposition, as opposed to a committee hearing. So much more substantive,” the committee chairman explained.
The investigation has generated significant interest among media organizations and the public regarding decision-making authority within the Biden White House.
“I think the American people want to know. I think there’s a huge level of curiosity in the press corps with respect to who was actually calling the shots in the Biden administration,” Comer observed.
WATCH:
Continue Scrolling for the Comments