Republicans send Biden autopen report Justice Department, urge further investigation
The report, made public on Tuesday, repeats claims that Biden was unaware of some decisions and that his aides signed laws, pardons and executive orders on his behalf.
October 28, 2025 10:34 PM IST
First published on: Oct 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM IST
Share
Comments
Print
Share
Whatsapp
twitter
Facebook
Former President Joe Biden listens to a speaker before receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute's 10th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Boston.(AP Photo)
US House Republicans have released a report questioning former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen to approve official actions while he was in office, and have asked the Justice Department to investigate.
The report, made public on Tuesday, repeats claims that Biden was unaware of some decisions and that his aides signed laws, pardons and executive orders on his behalf. According to the Associated Press (AP) the document does not provide evidence showing that White House officials acted without Biden’s approval.
Story continues below this ad
Republicans sent a letter to Attorney-General Pam Bondi urging a full review.
‘American national security at risk’
The report argues that Biden’s mental state declined and that officials around him “hid the fallout of President Biden’s diminished physical and mental acuity.” It says this “put American national security at risk,” according to AP.
Much of the report centres on pardons issued during Biden’s presidency, including a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. The findings draw heavily on interviews with Biden aides.
Biden has rejected the accusations, calling them “ridiculous and false,” AP said. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the investigation was a distraction.
Political tensions in Washington
Republicans shifted scrutiny back to Biden as Congress remains stuck during a government shutdown. AP noted that the House has been away from normal business for nearly a month.
Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters the report could have “major implications” for decisions made during Biden’s term.
He said, “The president was checked out of his job for quite some time, and everybody knows it.”
Allegations against Biden aides
The document claims that Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, and senior aides Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini helped “cover up the president’s cognitive decline.” All three invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and refused to testify, AP reported.
Republicans have also asked local officials in Washington, DC, to consider action against O’Connor’s medical licence.
What the report does not show
AP said the report does not include full witness transcripts or examples of policies enacted without Biden’s sign-off. It argues that actions approved with the autopen should be considered invalid unless there is proof Biden personally authorised them.
Legal experts quoted by AP warned that undoing executive actions signed by autopen could create legal problems for Trump and Congress as well, noting that the device is widely used by presidents.
Share
Former President Joe Biden listens to a speaker before receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute's 10th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Boston.(AP Photo) 
