Republicans Demand DOJ Probe Into Biden Autopen Use/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Republicans have released a report accusing former President Joe Biden’s aides of misusing the autopen to sign official documents without his direct approval. The 709-page report, sent to the Justice Department, offers no concrete proof but calls for a federal investigation into Biden’s mental fitness. Democrats have dismissed the claims as baseless, warning they could create future legal risks for Trump’s administration.
Biden Autopen Investigation – Quick Look
- Report Released: House Republicans unveiled their long-promised autopen report.
- Core Allegation: Aides allegedly used the autopen to approve actions without Biden’s consent.
- DOJ Involvement: GOP leaders urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to open a formal probe.
- Evidence: No verified proof that Biden was unaware of the actions taken.
- Democratic Response: Democrats labeled the report politically motivated and legally flawed.
- Key Targets: Biden’s physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor and senior aides accused of withholding testimony.
- Broader Context: Report surfaces amid ongoing government shutdown and partisan tension.
- Legal Risks: Experts warn questioning autopen use could backfire on future administrations.
House Republicans Urge DOJ Investigation into Biden’s Use of Autopen in New Report
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans released a long-awaited report Tuesday targeting former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen during his time in office, claiming the device was misused to sign key policies without the president’s direct involvement. The 709-page report, sent to the Department of Justice, calls for a broader investigation into Biden’s cognitive fitness and decision-making processes.
Although the report offers no concrete evidence that President Biden was unaware of the decisions made in his name, or that aides acted without his authorization, it makes sweeping assertions that cast doubt on his involvement in executive actions throughout his term.
“The cost of the scheme to hide the fallout of President Biden’s diminished physical and mental acuity was great but will likely never be fully calculated,” the report states. “The cover-up put American national security at risk and the nation’s trust in its leaders in jeopardy.”
The report was accompanied by a letter from House Republicans to Attorney General Pam Bondi, requesting that the DOJ launch a formal investigation into the matter. The White House and Biden himself have consistently dismissed any suggestion of wrongdoing, calling such claims “ridiculous and false.”
A Renewed Focus Amid Political Gridlock
The timing of the report coincides with a prolonged federal government shutdown and a stalemate in Congress over passing funding legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has kept the House out of session for weeks, halting most committee work except for ongoing Republican-led investigations.
The Biden report, assembled largely before the shutdown began, draws from interviews with over a dozen former and current Biden aides. However, it reveals little new information and does not include full transcripts of interviews. Instead, it relies on broader claims and anecdotal evidence, including references to public opinion polls, media coverage of Biden’s gaffes, and visible signs of aging.
Key Allegations in the Report
The report centers on three major claims:
- Mental Fitness and Executive Authority:
The report alleges that senior staffers orchestrated a “cover-up” of Biden’s cognitive decline, accusing aides of making decisions without the president’s awareness. Despite this claim, no concrete examples are provided to show that decisions were made without Biden’s knowledge or approval. - Use of the Autopen:
Republicans argue that executive orders and pardons signed using the autopen — a standard device that replicates a president’s signature — should be considered invalid unless there is proof that Biden explicitly authorized them. “Barring evidence… the committee deems those actions taken through use of the autopen as void,” the report says. - Calls for Professional and Legal Consequences:
The report calls for further scrutiny of Biden’s personal physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to testify. Republicans also criticized senior aides Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini, who likewise refused to answer questions. The committee sent a separate letter to the D.C. Board of Medicine urging them to revoke O’Connor’s medical license.
Democratic Response and Legal Context
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee sharply criticized the report, labeling it a politically motivated distraction. They argue that the use of the autopen is a routine and legal tool employed by multiple administrations, including that of President Trump, and that its use does not imply presidential incapacity.
Legal scholars have warned that attacking the validity of autopen-signed documents could backfire. Many executive orders and official documents across administrations have been signed using the autopen with appropriate authorization protocols in place.
“This scrutiny could create unnecessary legal exposure for the Trump White House if similar logic is later applied retroactively,” one congressional legal advisor said.
A Lack of Clear Evidence
Despite the headline-grabbing accusations, the Republican report lacks substantiated evidence to demonstrate that President Biden was unaware of major decisions made during his presidency. No policy has been identified that was enacted without presidential awareness or consent. The report instead questions the White House’s record-keeping practices and asserts that these make it difficult to trace who authorized what.
Still, Republicans maintain that unanswered questions alone are cause for concern and warrant a deeper probe.
Future Implications
The GOP’s decision to forward the report to the DOJ signals an intention to prolong scrutiny over Biden’s past leadership, even as Donald Trump’s administration faces ongoing pressure to end the government shutdown and resolve its own legal and political challenges.
As Republicans position themselves for 2026 and beyond, the Biden report is likely to be used as a campaign tool to reinforce questions about Democratic leadership. However, without stronger evidence or legal findings, it remains to be seen whether the report will gain traction outside partisan circles.
Democrats, meanwhile, are warning that the Republican focus on Biden’s cognitive health may distract from the immediate needs of the American public — including the stalled budget negotiations, federal employee pay issues, and ongoing international crises.
“This isn’t about governance,” one senior Democrat said. “It’s about headlines.”
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