Controversy surrounds former President Joe Biden's alleged use of an autopen for signing important documents, as claimed by a former White House stenographer.

The debate has risen due to criticisms from both former stenographer Mike McCormick and President Donald Trump, suggesting that Biden's actions reflect poorly on his cognitive abilities while in office, as Just the News reports.

McCormick, who served as a White House stenographer from 2002 to 2018, has voiced concerns over Biden’s use of an autopen.

This device is typically employed to automatically sign official documents when the president is unavailable. McCormick's assertions cast doubts on the transparency and authenticity of Biden's presidency.

McCormick Shares Insights

Appearing on the show Just the News, No Noise, McCormick accused members of Biden’s inner circle of covering for the president's alleged cognitive decline. He specifically named Jill Biden, Steve Ricchetti, and Michael Donilon as aides who, according to him, facilitated the execution of Biden’s duties despite his supposed incapacities.

"I was on Fox News in September of 2020 saying that Joe Biden was a shell of his former self," McCormick stated during his TV appearance, highlighting his long-held concerns.

He criticized the media, claiming, "The press hid from us what was happening. So, the fact that he wound up using an autopen is a disgrace to the presidency and an absolute disgrace to what the White House media did for four years covering for him," McCormick disclosed.

Donald Trump Enters Discussion

Adding to the conversation, Trump took to Truth Social, where he posted a meme suggesting the autopen, not Biden, served as the president from 2020 to 2024.

Trump differentiated his use of the device, which was confined to signing letters, from Biden’s extensive usage for more significant actions like signing bills and issuing pardons.

One of Trump’s more significant claims included the invalidity of Biden’s preemptive pardons of members of the House Jan. 6 committee, stating they were signed by the autopen and therefore should be considered null.

"The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because they were done by Autopen," Trump announced.

Legal Status of Documents Questioned

Trump also acknowledged that the legitimacy of the pardons signed by autopen would ultimately be decided by the courts.

This acknowledgment hints at the potential for legal challenges surrounding the use of such technology in executing presidential powers.

McCormick’s own words during his television appearance shed further light on his views. He expressed a belief that Biden's aides saw the president's cognitive challenges but covered them up, ensuring his wishes were enacted regardless, "They saw his decline. They hid his decline, but they probably knew that he was also cognizant enough behind the scenes to be able to say, 'I want this. I want that.' And they made sure it happened physically," he explained.

This discussion raises significant questions about the transparency and authenticity of governmental procedures, as well as the visibility of the president’s actual involvement in critical decision-making processes.

McCormick's Career, Literary Contributions

McCormick’s perspective is also shaped by his long tenure at the White House, spanning across multiple administrations, as well as his book, Fifteen Years a Deplorable: A White House Memoir, where he details his experiences and observations, providing readers with a unique insider's look at the workings within the White House.

The controversy surrounding President Biden’s use of an autopen is likely to continue as debates about the implications for presidential authority and legitimacy persist.

Both supporters and critics of Biden will be watching closely as this issue unfolds, affecting public perception and potentially the legal landscape of presidential powers.