US President Joe Biden has categorically denied Republican-led claims regarding the validity of clemency orders made at the tail end of his Presidency. In an interview with The New York Times, Joe Biden asserted that he had vocally authorized all the pardons and had sanctioned the use of an autopen to sign the pardon documents.
His comment came as US Donald Trump’s presidency, the Justice Department, and House Republicans are still investigating both the autopen’s use and Joe Biden’s mental fitness when he left office. The investigation focuses on pardons issued to Biden family members and notable individuals, such as his son Hunter Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and General Mark Milley.
Biden Says All Decisions Were His
In a phone interview on Thursday, Joe Biden maintained he had made every clemency decision personally. He said he approved the use of the autopen because of the volume of documents and time constraints. “We’re talking about a whole lot of people,” he added.
He brushed aside the claims as “ridiculous and false” and branded Trump and Congressional Republicans as “liars.” Biden was clear that pardons were within the law and deliberate, not because of incompetence or mental deterioration.
Pardons to Relatives & Officials in Question
The under investigation are preemptive pardons granted by Biden to five relatives. These include siblings James and Frank Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owens, and their husbands. Joe Biden explained these pardons were intended to shield his relatives from “future politically driven investigations.”
He also pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of federal charges involving tax evasion and guns.
During his last days in office, Biden granted clemency to several prominent public figures. These included Dr. Anthony Fauci, former General Mark Milley, and the members of the House committee who conducted a probe of the January 6 Capitol attack. The House Oversight Committee has vowed to publish a complete report after the investigation comes to an end.
Biden’s Mental Condition Investigated
Republicans have widened the investigation to cover Biden’s mental condition in his last days in office. The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena for Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s previous doctor, to testify about the president’s mental ability.
Dr. O’Connor, however, claimed the Fifth Amendment and declined to show up.
“Dr. O’Connor would prefer to hide the truth,” Rep. James Comer, the chairman of the committee, said. “His refusal makes it certain there was a conspiracy.”
The attorney for Dr. O’Connor, David Schertler, stated the doctor couldn’t say anything. He referred to medical confidentiality as well as the ongoing Department of Justice investigation into the autopen’s utilization.
Biden Aides & Advisers Also Targeted
The committee has also subpoenaed influential members of Biden’s inner circle. Former chiefs of staff Ron Klain and Jeff Zients, senior advisers Mike Donilon and Anita Dunn, and former chief of staff to Jill Biden, Anthony Bernal, are included.
Given that the Trump administration waived executive privilege for all but a few, investigators seek to evaluate Biden’s involvement and mental acuity in making final decisions.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s leading Democrat, criticized the investigation as being politically driven.
“Oversight Republicans could be saving money or investigating Trump’s corruption,” he said. “Instead, they’re mired in the past.”
