Former Biden Senior Advisor Testifies on Autopen Use Amid Health Probe

Neera Tanden, a former senior aide to President Joe Biden who served as staff secretary and later as director of the Domestic Policy Council, testified before the House Oversight Committee regarding her role in authorizing the use of Biden's autopen for signing official documents from October 2021 to May 2023. She stated that she followed an established approval system inherited from prior administrations and denied any manipulation or wrongdoing in the use of the autopen, asserting that she was authorized to direct its use for certain categories of documents. Tanden also noted she was unaware of who gave the final approval for autopen use and that she did not discuss Biden's health or fitness for office with other officials during her tenure, despite ongoing concerns about the president's cognitive decline. The committee’s investigation focuses on whether the autopen's use was an attempt to conceal Biden's mental acuity, especially amid scrutiny following his public performances. After Tanden's departure from the role, it remains unclear who took over autopen authorization, raising further questions about the process. Tanden denied any cover-up and emphasized her cooperation with both Republican and Democratic committee members during the closed-door hearing.