Fact Check: Biden's aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through autopen use.

Fact Check: "Biden's aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through autopen use."

What We Know

The claim that President Biden's aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through the use of an autopen has gained traction in recent discussions surrounding his administration's actions. An official memorandum from former President Donald Trump asserts that Biden's aides used the autopen to conceal Biden's cognitive decline and to assert executive authority, describing this as a significant scandal in American history (Reviewing Certain Presidential Actions).

During Biden's presidency, there were over 1,200 documents signed, including numerous pardons and commutations, many of which were reportedly executed using an autopen, particularly in the latter half of his term (Biden's 'defense' of aides who used his autopen speaks ...). Biden himself has stated that he made every decision regarding the pardons, although he admitted that he did not approve each individual clemency recipient, suggesting a more complex decision-making process involving his aides (Biden defends autopen use for clemency actions amid ...).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim involves both Biden's use of an autopen and the implications of his aides' involvement in decision-making. Critics argue that the extensive use of the autopen indicates a lack of direct presidential engagement in significant executive actions, which raises questions about the legitimacy of those actions (Biden defends frequent autopen use at end of term).

However, Biden's defense suggests that while he did not personally sign every document, he maintained overall authority and decision-making power. This assertion complicates the narrative of "abuse" since it implies that Biden was still in control, albeit through a different operational method (Biden admits he didn't approve each individual pardon).

The sources discussing this issue vary in reliability. The memorandum from Trump is politically motivated and may reflect bias against Biden, while mainstream media outlets like USA Today and Fox News provide a more neutral perspective, focusing on Biden's statements and the ongoing investigations. The investigation by the Justice Department into the use of the autopen adds a layer of credibility to the concerns raised, as it indicates that there are official inquiries into the matter (Lead investigator into Biden's use of an autopen signed ...).

Conclusion

The claim that Biden's aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through the use of an autopen is Partially True. While there is evidence that the autopen was used extensively during Biden's presidency, and that this raises questions about the extent of his direct involvement in executive actions, Biden has asserted that he retained overall control and decision-making authority. The ongoing investigations will likely provide further clarity on the legitimacy of these actions and the role of Biden's aides.

Fact Check: Biden's aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through autopen use.