| Published June 6, 2025
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered an investigation into what Republicans claim was a “conspiracy” to cover up Joe Biden’s declining cognitive health during his time in the White House.
Congress and Trump Team Seek Answers on Biden’s Health and Use of Autopen
The scrutiny over President Joe Biden’s health and the use of an autopen for signing official documents has intensified. House Republicans and former President Donald Trump are now leading parallel efforts to gather information on what they say are unanswered questions about Biden’s decision-making during his presidency.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that the committee has issued a subpoena to Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Biden’s personal physician. The committee is asking Dr. O’Connor to appear before Congress on June 27, 2025, to answer questions about Biden’s physical and cognitive condition during his time in office, and about the potential involvement of staff or aides in approving key decisions.
The focus of the inquiry includes the use of an autopen—a mechanical device that reproduces a person’s signature—for presidential documents. Some lawmakers are asking whether the president’s use of this tool went beyond routine practice and whether it reflects deeper issues that need to be investigated. Previous administrations have also used autopens for non-urgent or procedural matters, but this inquiry is focused on whether it was used more extensively.
At the same time, former President Donald Trump has launched a separate investigation. Speaking publicly, he stated that he believes there may have been an organized effort to prevent the public from knowing the full extent of Biden’s health issues. Trump’s team is reportedly gathering statements, records, and expert opinions to support this line of inquiry.
Some of Biden’s closest aides and White House officials may also be called to testify, including White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Senior Advisor Neera Tanden, and former Chief of Staff Ron Klain. The Oversight Committee has indicated that more subpoenas could follow.
White House officials have pushed back strongly against the accusations and inquiries. President Biden has stated that he was responsible for all presidential decisions and that the autopen was used with his full awareness and approval. The administration has also described the ongoing investigations as political in nature.
This is not the first time a president’s health and capacity have been questioned, and it comes amid a broader discussion about transparency in government, especially at the highest level. The hearing on June 27 is expected to be a major focal point in the ongoing developments surrounding these questions.
Here are the key implications of the Biden autopen and health transparency investigations:
🏛️ 1. Potential Redefinition of Presidential Signing Authority
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If it’s shown that the autopen was used on major decisions without Biden’s active involvement, future administrations may face stricter rules on what qualifies as a legitimate presidential signature.
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This could lead to legal reviews of past executive orders, pardons, or directives.
🩺 2. Presidential Health Transparency Standards
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The subpoena of Dr. Kevin O’Connor may set a precedent for more formal disclosure of a president’s physical and cognitive condition.
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It also raises long-term questions about how much medical information the public and Congress should be entitled to.
⚖️ 3. Expansion of Oversight Power
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Congress might gain broader authority to subpoena White House staff and medical advisors, particularly during or after a presidency.
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This could shift the balance between executive privacy and legislative oversight.
📊 4. Political Strategy and Public Trust
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These investigations may be used by political figures to shape voter perception of Biden’s presidency, especially as midterm and 2028 elections approach.
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Regardless of outcome, prolonged scrutiny could influence public confidence in the integrity of presidential operations.
🔍 Overall Takeaway:
Questions surrounding President Biden’s use of the autopen and his health during office have sparked a high-profile investigation that blends legal oversight, executive transparency, and political tension. As Congress and former President Trump pursue answers, the issue has become a major flashpoint about how presidential authority is exercised—and scrutinized—after the fact.
SOURCES: THE DAILY SIGNAL – There’s Nothing Conspiratorial About Uncovering Who Ran Country During Biden Presidency
FRANCE 24 – Trump orders inquiry into ‘conspiracy’ to hide Biden’s health decline
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