Staff Reports
In a twist that could almost be mistaken for a political drama series, the White House has officially launched an investigation into President Biden’s use of an Autopen to sign important documents. This includes pardons for some of his closest family members—a plot point that could make even the most thrilling political thriller blush. As more details unfold, the implications of this investigation could ripple far beyond the walls of the Oval Office.
The investigation has initiated a flurry of activity, as officials sift through a mound of documents, reportedly around tens of thousands, provided by the National Archives and Records Administration. The White House staff is diving deep into this paper trail while the House Oversight Committee, armed with their own magnifying glasses, is also hot on the trail of the circumstances surrounding the Autopen usage. One name that pops up frequently in this narrative is Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to First Lady Jill Biden. Just to spice things up, Bernal chose to exercise his Fifth Amendment rights during a recent Congressional appearance, leaving more questions swirling in this already murky water.
It appears that Bernal isn’t the only one invoking the Fifth. Kevin O’Connor, the former personal physician to President Biden, also opted for the same legal shield, raising eyebrows and the stakes. Meanwhile, other former aides, Neera Tanden and Ashley Williams, decided to cooperate, answering questions like seasoned pros. But the drama lies within the implications of their silence. With each aide that pleads the Fifth, the intrigue grows that perhaps there’s more to uncover about the president’s knowledge of who was using the Autopen to sign various legal documents.
The overriding concern among lawmakers is whether President Biden had any idea that his signature was being slapped on various important papers by an Autopen while he may not have been in full command of his faculties. The investigation seeks to determine if Joe Biden, in fact, authorized these staffers to proceed with such actions, which, if proven otherwise, could spiral into a constitutional quagmire. The seriousness of the situation cannot be overstated, as it poses potential legal challenges for numerous executive orders and pardons issued during a critical phase of Biden’s presidency.
The political ramifications of this investigation are wide-reaching. At stake is not only the validity of presidential actions taken under questionable circumstances but also the public perception of transparency in the White House. Chairman James Comer of the House Oversight Committee has made it clear that should they find evidence suggesting that these procedures were not legitimately authorized, there could be significant consequences—possibly throwing out numerous executive orders or pardons that were put in place during Biden’s time in office, especially those handed down during the fraught “lame duck” period after the 2020 election but before President Trump left office.
As the investigation continues to unfold, it appears that the White House may not have chosen the best route by starting its own inquiry into the Autopen saga. This could be interpreted in many ways, but one thing is clear: the eyes of the nation are glued to Washington, D.C., to see just how this narrative will evolve. Whether this investigation will yield accountability and transparency from the Biden administration remains to be seen. However, if history has taught us anything about the political stage, it’s that where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. And this fire may grow even more intense as the investigation barrels ahead.
