House Oversight in ‘final stages’ of Biden autopen probe, James Comer reveals
The House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer, R-Ky., is concluding its investigation into President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen following concerns raised within the former administration itself. According to a recent report by Axios, President Biden’s own aides expressed worries about the use of the autopen to grant thousands of pardons, questioning the legitimacy of executive actions carried out without his direct approval.
Comer emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This is a historic scandal with massive repercussions. The House Oversight Committee is nearing the end of its investigation, and there must be accountability for this scandal.”
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on Truth Social, highlighting the significance of the autopen scandal in comparison to other controversial events during his presidency. However, a former Biden White House staffer defended the process, noting that there were checks in place to ensure proper decision-making and oversight.
The Axios report revealed that senior Department of Justice officials had raised red flags about Biden’s clemency process, particularly in the final days of his term. Issues were raised regarding the lack of vetting and input on individuals being considered for clemency, including cases where murderers had been granted pardons without proper background checks.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about the White House’s handling of soliciting views from victims’ families in cases involving death row inmates. The report also highlighted instances where White House staff sought clarification on the autopen process, indicating potential discrepancies in decision-making protocols.
Despite the controversy surrounding the autopen pardons, the former Biden staffer maintained that the pardon power ultimately lies with the president, not the Department of Justice. Biden himself affirmed that he made all clemency decisions independently, refuting claims of improper influence.
Moving forward, the Oversight Committee is set to hear testimony from key figures involved in the process, including former Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and ex-press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. As the investigation reaches its conclusion, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability in the handling of executive actions and pardons.
Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, has been at the forefront of covering developments within the House of Representatives. Her insights and analysis provide valuable context to the unfolding events surrounding the autopen scandal. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind for the latest updates and tips on this ongoing investigation.
