U.S. President Donald Trump directed his White House counsel on Wednesday to investigate claims that former President Joe Biden’s aides may have covered up allegations of mental decline and unlawfully used an autopen on Biden’s behalf to sign official documents.
Biden, who is currently battling cancer, responded by asserting that he was fully responsible for the decisions made during his presidency, including pardons, executive orders, and other policies.
He suggested that Trump’s push for this investigation was a distraction from ongoing legislation in Congress that aims to extend tax cuts for the wealthy.
Trump’s Criticism of Biden’s Mental Competency
Former President Donald Trump, a Republican, has repeatedly questioned Biden’s mental competency since their 2020 election contest, in which Biden defeated him.
Trump has long suggested that Biden’s aides may have used an autopen, a mechanical device, to sign memos, executive orders, and clemency grants on Biden’s behalf, potentially rendering these actions invalid.
In response to these allegations, Biden’s team stated that the use of an autopen is a legal, well-established practice that follows a president’s decision.
Biden’s Response and Dismissal of Claims
In a statement late on Wednesday, Biden forcefully dismissed any suggestions that he was not fully in control of his decisions during his presidency. “Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations.
Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,” Biden said. His office continued to defend the use of the autopen, stating that it has always been a routine procedure following presidential decisions.
Biden’s Health and Criticisms from Trump
Biden, now 82, faced scrutiny over his mental health and ability to serve for another term, especially following a challenging debate against Trump during the 2024 campaign.
This debate raised concerns about Biden’s capacity to continue in office, which led to him stepping aside as the Democratic presidential candidate.
Kamala Harris, the former vice president, was subsequently nominated as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 election. In November, Trump won the election, defeating Harris in the general race.
Last month, Biden’s office confirmed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This health update, along with the release of a book questioning Biden’s mental state, has fueled discussions about his cognitive ability as he seeks re-election. During his time in office, Biden’s aides denied any significant decline in his mental acuity but did acknowledge his aging.
Trump’s Investigation Directive
In an official memorandum, Trump ordered his White House counsel, in collaboration with the Attorney General, to probe whether “certain individuals conspired to deceive the public about Biden’s mental state and unconstitutionally exercise the authorities and responsibilities of the President.”
The investigation would focus on whether Biden’s aides directed the use of the autopen in a way that concealed Biden’s cognitive decline, questioning whether Biden himself was aware of decisions being made in his name.
The memo highlighted concerns about Biden’s decision-making process and whether he was fully aware of actions taken during his presidency. It also raised questions regarding the use of the autopen in granting clemency to family members and death row inmates near the end of Biden’s term.
A senior Justice Department official under Trump confirmed that the investigation would look into whether Biden was competent and whether his aides took advantage of him by using the autopen.