Biden Defends Autopen Use Amid House Clemency Investigation

President Joe Biden defended his use of an autopen to sign pardons and clemency decisions during the final days of his presidency, insisting that he personally made every decision despite not individually approving each name for group pardons. In interviews with major outlets like The New York Times, Biden called claims by President Donald Trump and other Republicans that he was cognitively impaired and unaware of these actions "lies," emphasizing the legality of autopen use and noting that it was necessary due to the volume of clemency warrants. Biden highlighted that for prominent figures, such as his son Hunter Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and retired Gen. Mark Milley, he was directly involved in the decision-making process. The House Oversight Committee is currently investigating the use of the autopen and possible cover-up of Biden's mental state during this period. Critics have condemned the extensive pardons, including the commuting of death sentences for 37 federal inmates, as an overreach of executive power. Biden framed the pardons as a protective measure against potential vindictiveness from Trump, while reaffirming his active role in all clemency decisions.