Biden Denies Claims of Incapacitation Over Clemency Decisions

Former US President Joe Biden has vehemently denied claims that he was unaware of or incapacitated when granting a slew of pardons and commutations during his final days in office. In an interview with the New York Times, Biden stated that he "made every single one" of the clemency decisions, calling those who made such claims "liars" who "know it." Biden's remarks come amidst claims by conservatives that the commutations and pardons are not binding due to being signed using an autopen printer.

Biden's denial comes as the House oversight committee, led by James Comer, continues to investigate his mental acuity while in office, including whether he was aware of documents signed with his "autopen" signature. Biden's White House doctor, Kevin O'Connor, previously declined to answer questions from the committee.

Key Takeaways:

• Biden has denied claims that he was incapacitated or unaware of clemency decisions, stating that he made "every single one" of them.
• Biden accused Republicans of using the autopen issue as a diversion from their own actions, stating that they "have lied so consistently about almost everything they're doing."
• Biden used an autopen, which he stated is "legal," to sign a large number of pardons and commutations in his final days in office.
• The autopen issue has been raised by conservatives who claim that Biden's commutations and pardons are not binding due to being signed without his direct signature.
• Biden's denial comes as the House oversight committee continues to investigate his mental acuity while in office.
• Trump has claimed that Biden's autopen pardons issued to lawmakers and staff on the congressional committee that investigated the Capitol attack have no force.
• No law governs a president's use of an autopen, with the US Justice Department stating in 2005 that an autopen can be used to sign legislation.
• Obama was the first president to use an autopen in 2011, signing legislation.

Statistics:

• Biden granted a slew of pardons and commutations in his final days in office.
• Biden's pardons and commutations included reducing sentences of hundreds of non-violent drug offenders and commuting the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates.
• Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, of convictions on federal gun and tax charges.
• The total number of pardons and commutations signed by Biden using an autopen is unclear.

Sources:

• Biden, J. (2023, March 19). Interview with the New York Times.
• O'Connor, K. (2023, March 17). Refusal to answer questions from House oversight committee.
• Comer, J. (2023, March 17). Statement on Kevin O'Connor's refusal to answer questions.
• Trump, D. (2023, March 1). Social media post claiming Biden's autopen pardons have no force.
• US Department of Justice. (2005). Opinion on the use of an autopen to sign legislation.