Several members of the former president’s administration have been called to testify before Congress regarding the use of the autopen and President Biden’s health.
President Donald Trump’s administration said that executive privilege was not justified as the House Oversight Committee conducts its investigation of President Joe Biden’s health and the use of the autopen to sign orders during his term. The use of the autopen to sign executive orders without the former president’s knowledge or approval could have legal ramifications.
Citing the “extraordinary nature” of the inquiry, former White House Staff Secretary and Director of the Domestic Policy Council Neera Tanden, specifically, was advised by White House Deputy Counsel, “[T]he President authorizes you to provide unrestricted testimony to the House Oversight Committee, irrespective of potential privilege.”
She was restricted from revealing classified information or other details that would violate the law or court orders.
In addition to Tanden, committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky has scheduled testimony from former Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the First Lady Anthony Bernal, Former Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations Ashley Williams, and Former Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini. Former White House Physician Kevin O’Connor has been subpoenaed.
Tanden testified that she was authorized to use the autopen in her role as staff secretary between October 2021 to May 2023 for certain types of documents. She cited the legacy system of autopen used under previous administrations and denied any further utilization after transitioning to head President Biden’s Domestic Policy Council.
President Biden recently said, “Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chairman Comer to receive God’s wisdom as he heads the investigation into the potentially illegal use of the autopen during President Biden’s term.
- For former White House staff and aides to be transparent regarding their functions and involvement in the former president’s administration.
- For the truth surrounding the former president’s health and capacity to be revealed.
Sources: Daily Wire, Washington Examiner, PJ Media, MSN
