Biden Autopen Scandal: NYT Interview Backfires as Staffers Exposed

Autopen Use and Staff Decision-Making

• 💡 The autopen was allegedly used for signing major legislation and pardons, not just ceremonial letters, raising questions about Joe Biden's direct involvement.
• 🧠 It is suggested that Biden was not making final decisions, with staffers effectively running the White House and country, labeling him an "empty suit."
• 📌 A former counselor to President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, highlighted the role of the staff secretary in controlling paper flow and vetting presidential options.
• ⚠️ Nerra Tanden, as staff secretary, admitted to having very little interaction with President Biden, indicating decisions were made by others.

Preemptive Pardons and Chief of Staff Approval

• 🚀 Biden issued preemptive pardons to officials like Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley in his final days, ostensibly to protect them from potential retribution.
• 🔑 The New York Times reported that while Biden may have made decisions in a meeting, his chief of staff, Jeff Zients, gave the final approval for the use of the autopen for these pardons.
• 📜 Emails show Zients approving the use of the autopen for all pardons, with his approval being the final step, not Biden's direct signature or explicit sign-off on each case.
• 🧐 This raises concerns as Zients' email stated, "I approve the use of the autopen," rather than confirming Biden's approval, suggesting the chief of staff held the ultimate authority.

Biden's NYT Interview and Public Reaction

• 🗣️ In a New York Times interview, Biden claimed he made every single clemency decision himself, but acknowledged the autopen was used due to the high volume.
• ❌ This interview is seen as backfiring, making Biden appear more guilty and not clearing his name, as his claims contradict reports of staffer approval and decision-making.
• 📈 Trump called the alleged autopen use a major scandal, potentially one of the biggest in 50 to 100 years.
• ❓ The narrative suggests Biden's statements, like orally granting pardons, are lawyerly and ambiguous, potentially setting up a defense of "I don't recall" for his aides during congressional investigations.

Implications and Future Investigations

• ⚖️ The situation is described as a real scandal and cover-up, with evidence suggesting Biden was not in control and his liberal staffers were making decisions on his behalf.
• 🎤 Aides and staffers are expected to testify under oath on Capitol Hill, with the autopen issue being a central point of investigation.
• 📉 The ongoing scandal is expected to be a significant issue for Democrats, potentially impacting primaries, as the evidence is considered substantial and unlikely to be swept under the rug.
• 🧐 The short duration of the New York Times interview (around 10 minutes) is noted, suggesting a controlled environment to avoid exposing potential cognitive decline.