Biden's Use of Autopen Sparks Controversy: "Whoever Controlled the Autopen, Controlled the Presidency"

The Oversight Project, an initiative by the conservative Heritage Foundation focused on U.S. government transparency, recently accused President Joe Biden of relying heavily on autopen for official document signatures, rather than personally signing them. On their social media platform, they expressed, "Whoever controlled the autopen, controlled the presidency," implying that Biden might not have personally signed key documents during his term.

In a series of posts, the organization shared, "We compiled all documents we could find bearing Biden's signature throughout his presidency. Every single one featured the same autopen signature, except for the announcement of the former president's withdrawal from the race." Accompanying these claims were comparative images of the signatures.

Concerns Over Presidential Authority and Cognitive Ability

Adding to the controversy, the Oversight Project highlighted an episode where Biden allegedly confessed to Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, that he couldn't recall signing an executive order to halt liquefied natural gas exports. "So, who signed it?" they questioned, suggesting that the president might not have had full control over the signing of official documents, which were authenticated via autopen—a device used to replicate signatures on official documents, a practice legally permitted in the U.S. but contentious when high-level decisions are involved.

The watchdog group emphasized the importance of determining who managed the autopen and what oversight mechanisms were in place, before assessing whether the president had ordered the signing of significant legal documents or had the mental capacity to do so. They also pointed out that Biden's decision to revoke executive privilege for those advising Donald Trump during his first term could legally clarify this matter.

Missouri's Attorney General Calls for Investigation

Andrew Bailey, Missouri's Attorney General, called on the Department of Justice to investigate whether Biden's alleged cognitive decline allowed unelected officials to advance radical policies without his conscious approval. "I demand the Department of Justice investigate if President Biden's cognitive decline let unelected officials push radical policies without his conscious consent," Bailey stated on social media.

Bailey warned that if these allegations prove correct, all executive orders, pardons, and other actions signed without the president's actual knowledge could be deemed unconstitutional and legally invalid.

Fox News Digital conducted a random review of over 20 executive orders signed during Biden's administration, recorded with the Federal Register from 2021 to 2024, and found all had the same autopen-generated signature. They also reached out to Biden's office for comments on the Oversight Project's revelations, but had not received a response by Sunday.

Public and Political Concerns Over Biden's Mental Sharpness

Additionally, Fox News Digital examined signatures on executive orders from Donald Trump's first and second administrations, finding consistency in his signatures as well. However, Biden's situation has drawn more scrutiny due to increasing doubts about his mental acuity, especially from 2024 onward. That year, Biden began strongly in the Democratic Party, gearing up for a re-election campaign seemingly set for a rematch against Trump. Yet, public scrutiny over his age (81 years) and cognitive ability intensified, following years of conservative criticism regarding his mental state.

A report from Special Counsel Robert Hur, investigating Biden's alleged mishandling of classified documents during his vice presidency, did not recommend criminal charges, describing Biden as "an elderly man with good intentions but poor memory." This report fueled concerns over Biden's mental capacity, peaking in June 2024 after his first and only presidential debate against Trump.

Embarrassing Missteps and Growing Pressure Within the Democratic Party

For several years, President Biden's mental clarity has been questioned due to numerous public gaffes and lapses, raising concerns both publicly and within his own party. A recent incident occurred in July 2024 during a NATO summit, where Biden mistakenly identified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin, causing confusion among attendees and sparking criticism.

On the same day, he mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump," further fueling doubts about his mental state. While his team downplayed the incidents, influential Democratic figures, including actor and activist George Clooney, publicly voiced their concerns, suggesting Biden reconsider his re-election bid.

Earlier, in February 2024, a report by Special Counsel Robert K. Hur described Biden's memory as "blurred" and "poor," noting his forgetfulness about key dates during his vice presidency and even his son Beau Biden's death. Although the report concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge him with mishandling classified documents, it reinforced perceptions that his cognitive abilities might be declining, particularly in the context of his re-election campaign.

Biden's memory issues and confusion are not new. In September 2022, during a White House event, he inquired about Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, who had died a month earlier in a car accident. The incident surprised attendees, as the president seemed unaware of her passing despite sending condolences to her family days earlier. The White House attempted to justify the incident, but it added to a series of lapses throughout his presidency.

Besides these incidents, Biden has experienced embarrassing moments, such as falling off his bicycle in June 2022 while riding in Delaware. Although he claimed to be uninjured, the event went viral on social media and fueled criticisms about his physical and mental state. These events have intensified doubts about Biden's ability to continue his presidency and have sparked debates within the Democratic Party about the possibility of presenting an alternative candidate for the 2024 elections.