Fact Check: Biden was unaware of what his autopen signature was used for.

Fact Check: "Biden was unaware of what his autopen signature was used for."

What We Know

Former President Joe Biden has publicly stated that he was fully aware of and made all decisions regarding the clemency actions taken at the end of his presidency, despite allegations from some Republican figures suggesting otherwise. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Biden asserted, “I made every decision,” and described the use of an autopen to replicate his signature as a practical measure due to the volume of clemency actions he was overseeing. He emphasized that all pardons and commutations were granted based on his oral approvals before the autopen was utilized for signing the documents (USA Today).

Biden's clemency actions included reducing the sentences of nearly 4,000 federal convicts and issuing pardons to several politically significant individuals, which has drawn scrutiny and accusations from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans. They have claimed that Biden's aides used the autopen without his authorization, suggesting that he was incapacitated and unable to make such decisions (HuffPost, MSN).

Analysis

The claims that Biden was unaware of the use of his autopen signature are contradicted by his own statements and the processes described by his administration. Biden has consistently denied the allegations from Trump and Republican leaders, labeling them as falsehoods aimed at undermining his presidency. He explained that the autopen was used for practical reasons, as it allowed him to manage a large number of clemency requests efficiently (New York Times, USA Today).

Moreover, internal communications from Biden's White House indicate a structured process for approving clemency actions, with Biden verbally approving the criteria for which individuals would receive clemency before his staff utilized the autopen (New York Times). This suggests that there was a deliberate and documented method in place to ensure that Biden was involved in the decision-making process, countering claims that he was unaware of what the autopen was being used for.

While the reliability of the sources reporting on Biden's statements is generally high, it is important to note that the political context surrounding these claims may introduce bias. The New York Times and USA Today are reputable news organizations, but they are also reporting on a politically charged topic that involves ongoing investigations and partisan disputes. Therefore, while Biden's statements are credible, they should be viewed within the broader context of political rivalry and the potential for misinterpretation or selective reporting.

Conclusion

The claim that "Biden was unaware of what his autopen signature was used for" is False. Biden has explicitly stated that he made all decisions regarding the clemency actions and that the autopen was used as a tool to facilitate those decisions due to the volume of cases. The evidence from credible sources supports Biden's assertion that he was involved in the decision-making process and aware of the use of his signature.

Fact Check: Biden was unaware of what his autopen signature was used for.