President Donald Trump has directed White House counsel and Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch an investigation into decisions made by former President Joe Biden, focusing on whether Biden was mentally fit to execute the duties of the presidency during his final years in office, The Hill reported.
The directive calls for a review of "whether certain individuals conspired to deceive the public about Biden's mental state and unconstitutionally exercise the authorities and responsibilities of the President."
A central point of the investigation will be Biden's use of the autopen to authorize presidential actions. Critics have questioned whether this method was used to obscure the president's involvement in the decisions.
The executive order highlights Biden's key actions during his tenure, including appointing more than 200 federal judges, issuing thousands of acts of clemency, and signing more than 1,000 presidential documents. According to The Hill, these will be scrutinized for legitimacy and adherence to constitutional norms.
Biden and his aides have long maintained that he was fully capable of performing the duties of his office. A spokesperson for Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Trump's directive.
Discussion over Biden's mental acuity has reemerged following the publication of recent books, including "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again." The book has fueled new questions about the extent of Biden's cognitive challenges and whether they were intentionally hidden from the public during his time in office.
In addition to the White House's probe, Republican-led congressional committees have also taken steps to examine Biden's final months in office. House Republicans have contacted former Biden aides to inquire about his mental fitness.
The White House confirmed Tuesday that pardon attorney Ed Martin has been assigned to review clemency grants issued by Biden, including those involving family members.
The Justice Department released the full audio of Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur last month. During that conversation, Hur noted Biden appeared to have memory lapses. The former president released a transcript of the interview while still in office.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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