The Oversight Project has conducted an analysis revealing that most of President Biden's Executive Orders (EOs) and clemency warrants were signed using autopen signatures, raising concerns about the implications of this practice on governance.
1. Discovery of Autopen Use:
• Recent investigations found that President Biden has used autopen signatures for nearly all executive orders since mid-2022 except for the announcement of his withdrawal from the 2024 election.
• The Oversight Project noted an increase in autopen usage correlating with reports of Biden's declining mental and physical health.
2. Executive Orders of Concern:
• Several significant Executive Orders were signed using the autopen, touching on sensitive topics such as:
• National security (e. g. , Executive Order 14097 on combating drug trafficking)
• Sanctions related to foreign policy (e. g. , Executive Order 14098 on Sudan)
• Responses to aggressive actions (e. g. , Executive Order 14114 countering Russian aggression)
• Public health measures regarding COVID-19 (e. g. , Executive Order 14122)
3. Clemency Warrant Analysis:
• Over four years, the Biden Administration issued 51 clemency warrants, all signed with autopen, affecting thousands of individuals, including serious offenders.
• Of the 51 warrants, 19 appear to have wet signatures while the others were divided between two autopen versions (A and B).
4. Concerns on Decision-Making Authority:
• There are worries regarding who operates the autopen and signs these warrants. A key Biden aide has been implicated in determining which documents to sign, leading to concerns over accountability.
• Neera Tanden, noted as the White House Staff Secretary during key periods of autopen use, has drawn criticism, especially from former President Trump, who called for accountability for those involved.
5. Tensions and Political Reactions:
• The situation has sparked political discourse, with calls from various figures, including Trump, for consequences for those operating Biden's autopen, suggesting a severe breach of trust and governance.
The findings by the Oversight Project raise significant questions about the use of autopen signatures by President Biden, particularly regarding the legitimacy of executive actions and clemency decisions. This situation has prompted debates about accountability within the White House and the integrity of political processes under the current administration.
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