GOP’s Schmitt Demands Answers Over Biden Staffer’s ‘Autopen’ Admission
Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) initiated measures on Thursday to reveal what he termed one of the most significant scandals in U.S. history—seeking access to sealed Biden autopen records following the admission from former Biden official Neera Tanden that she had control over it for more than a year and a half.
Tanden, who held the position of Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, provided closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday. Under oath, she acknowledged that she was the individual authorized to utilize Joe Biden’s autopen from October 2021 until May 2023.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) recently identified five Biden aides as key figures in what seems to be a coordinated effort to conceal the president’s mental decline, with the autopen being central to this issue.
Tanden testified that not only was she permitted to use the autopen, but she also had the authority to direct its application. She denied any misconduct but made a startling admission: she operated the autopen without direct confirmation from Biden himself, as reported by The Washington Examiner.
In essence, Tanden appeared to indicate that she was signing official documents in Biden’s name without confirming whether he had approved them.
This may have included the pardoning of six convicted criminals on December 30, 2022, while Biden was on vacation and playing golf in St. Croix. Based on Tanden’s testimony, it is likely that she was responsible for those pardons while the president was engaged in golfing activities.
When questioned about a potential cover-up regarding Biden’s health issues, Tanden replied: “Absolutely not.”
However, Schmitt remains skeptical.
“I have just undertaken a first-of-its-kind action regarding the Biden autopen cover-up,” he declared. “Exercising my authority as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, I have submitted a ‘special access request’ to Archivist Marco Rubio to acquire sealed documents. This may potentially expose the entire situation,” he stated on X.
“This morning, I reviewed this action. The coverup regarding Biden’s mental decline stands as one of the most significant scandals in U.S. history,” Schmitt remarked. “A primary focus of mine is to ensure that such an event does not recur. The only means to achieve this is to ascertain what transpired and who was in charge of the nation. With the documents requested, the subcommittee can initiate efforts to develop a solution.”
Schmitt was unequivocal: “This scandal surpasses Watergate,” he stated during an appearance on Fox Business.
He elaborated on the legal basis for his actions: “The ‘special access request’ is a clause within the Presidential Records Act that permits a congressional subcommittee to acquire past presidential records essential for its operations, even if those records are not yet accessible to the public.”
The implications are significant.
“In light of Biden’s severe mental decline, there are critical concerns regarding the legitimacy of orders signed by autopen in his name,” Schmitt noted.
He further stated: “Consequently, I have sought access for the subcommittee to all Biden White House memoranda related to autopen procedures and authorizations.”
However, he did not stop there.
“I have also requested documents from the Biden White House concerning specific applications of the autopen, as well as information regarding pardons issued in the final months of his presidency, Biden’s declaration on the ‘Equal Rights Amendment,’ and any discussions pertaining to the 25th Amendment,” he added.
Schmitt concluded with a caution that every American should heed: “We must never again permit our nation to be governed by anonymous, faceless staff members. We must never again question who is in control of the country or whether the actions of our President are legitimate. We must never again be governed by the autopen.
