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House Probe Questions Biden's Autopen Pardons and Fitness

7/19/2025

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Biden's Pardons Probe

The House Oversight Committee is probing former President Biden's use of an autopen for pardons, sparking worries about his mental acuity. As aides like Anthony Bernal and Kevin O’Connor plead the Fifth during testimonies, doubts about accountability and transparency loom large, fueling criticism over Biden's cognitive fitness and the integrity of his administration.

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Story summary

Annie Tomasini, once a key aide to President Biden, has taken the Fifth Amendment during a deposition, marking her as the third Biden staffer to dodge questions about the president's cognitive health. House Oversight Chairman James Comer pointed out a troubling trend of aides protecting themselves from possible legal repercussions as investigations into Biden's mental fitness and classified documents continue.

History

Historical Context

President Nixon's resignation in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal underscored the necessity for government accountability, particularly after the discovery of erased tapes that fueled public distrust. In 2023, the House Oversight Committee began investigating President Biden's use of an autopen for pardons, echoing past scrutiny and raising concerns about transparency and public confidence in leadership.

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Biden's Pardons Probe

The House Oversight Committee is probing former President Biden's use of an autopen for pardons, sparking worries about his mental acuity. As aides like Anthony Bernal and Kevin O’Connor plead the Fifth during testimonies, doubts about accountability and transparency loom large, fueling criticism over Biden's cognitive fitness and the integrity of his administration.

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