Neera Tanden, head of the White House Domestic Policy Council, spent over four hours under the spotlight Tuesday as she testified before the House Oversight Committee. The hearing centered on the controversial use of the autopen device to sign official documents and concerns about President Joe Biden’s mental capacity during his final years in office.
Tanden, who served as Biden’s senior adviser and staff secretary, openly acknowledged in her opening statement that she was authorized to approve autopen use from October 2021 through May 2023. The autopen—a mechanical tool that replicates signatures—was reportedly used to sign a variety of critical documents, including executive orders and proclamations.
“I was responsible for managing document flow to and from the president and was authorized to direct autopen usage,” Tanden testified. After the session, she told reporters, “I was glad to answer the committee’s questions and discuss my public service.”
When pressed about attempts to conceal President Biden’s physical or cognitive condition, Tanden firmly rejected the allegations: “Absolutely not.”
Examining Executive Power and Accountability
Led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), the committee is investigating whether presidential powers were properly exercised or if Biden’s aides overstepped by increasingly relying on autopen signatures—even on days when the president was reportedly present in the White House.
This probe follows claims from former President Donald Trump, who alleges that Biden’s cognitive health was deliberately hidden from the public. Trump demands a full investigation into whether senior officials improperly used the autopen to carry out executive duties without Biden’s direct involvement.
“Who was really making the decisions in Biden’s final years?” Comer challenged, highlighting concerns over transparency and the legitimacy of presidential authority.
Tanden is the first of several witnesses slated to testify this week. Anthony Bernal, a longtime adviser to former First Lady Jill Biden, is expected to appear on Thursday.
Biden Pushes Back Against Accusations
In a recent statement, President Biden defended his use of the autopen, insisting he maintained full control over his administration.
“I made the decisions about pardons, executive orders, and policy. Any suggestion otherwise is false,” Biden said. “These accusations are distractions aimed at shifting focus away from Republican efforts to cut essential services and provide tax breaks for the wealthy.”
Trump Calls for Criminal Probe
On Wednesday, Trump escalated the matter by urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a formal criminal investigation. He accused Biden’s aides of potentially abusing the autopen to bypass presidential oversight.
In a memo, Trump emphasized the critical role of the president’s signature in American governance and warned that its misuse could threaten the legitimacy of laws and appointments. He labeled the alleged actions “one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history.”
“If Biden’s aides used the autopen to mask his incapacity while pushing radical executive actions, it would be an unconstitutional abuse of presidential authority,” Trump claimed. “It would also call into question the legality of many decisions made during his presidency.”
What Lies Ahead
The Oversight Committee will continue its investigation this week, hearing from more witnesses and probing deeper into executive accountability. Central to the debate is whether technologies like the autopen should be used in matters of national importance, and how transparency must be upheld in the highest office.
With political tensions running high, both parties frame this inquiry as a defining battle over the future of American democracy and the proper limits of presidential power.