Tanden Confirms Autopen Control Amidst House Inquiry into Biden's Cognitive State

Washington D.C. – Neera Tanden, former Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Staff Secretary under President Joe Biden, confirmed in sworn testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 24, 2025, that she controlled the presidential autopen. This admission comes amidst an ongoing congressional investigation into President Biden's alleged cognitive decline and the authorization process for official documents.

During her testimony, Tanden acknowledged her role in directing the autopen for presidential signatures on various documents, including executive actions and pardons, from October 2021 to May 2023. However, she stated that she did not personally make the final decisions regarding which documents or orders were signed using the device. The investigation seeks to clarify who ultimately authorized these actions.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, is probing what it terms "The Biden Autopen Presidency," expressing concerns that critical decisions were made without clear presidential oversight. Committee members have highlighted that some White House staffers interviewed admitted not knowing who was authorizing signatures or controlling the autopen's use, raising questions about the chain of command.

This revelation provides context for recent public criticisms, such as that from CNN commentator Scott Jennings. In a recent exchange, Jennings reportedly challenged Tanden, stating, "I'm not going to be lectured by the people who lied to the American people about the condition of the President [Biden]," as noted in a widely circulated tweet. This sentiment reflects broader skepticism from some political figures regarding the administration's transparency.

Tanden, who served as a senior advisor to President Biden, denied any cover-up regarding the President's health. Upon exiting the closed-door hearing, she reportedly told reporters, "Absolutely not," when asked if she was concealing information about Biden's condition, adding that she was "very happy to answer questions." The committee plans further interviews, including with Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician, and other senior aides, as the investigation continues.