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A former top aide to President Joe Biden said she was allowed to direct the auto-pen signature but didn’t know who was given her final clearance in the president’s inner circle, according to a source familiar with testimony about the aide’s closure in front of Congress on Tuesday.
Neela Tanden, former director of Biden’s National Policy Council, testified for hours Tuesday in an interview before the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the former president’s mental vision and the use of automated signature tools that allow aides to sign pardons, memos and other important documents.
In an interview with Tanden before Congress that lasted more than five hours, she told lawmakers that she was allowed to direct the Autopen Signature on behalf of Biden in her role as a former president’s secretary and senior adviser between 2021 and 2023, a board of supervisor official told FOX News. Tanden’s testimony passed on to Fox News said the authorization system used was inherited from previous administrations.
Who is Neela Tanden? Controversial Dem operative testifying about Biden’s mental vision
Neela Tanden, former director of Biden’s National Policy Council, testified over five hours behind a door that was closed for more than five hours as part of a House Republican investigation into the former president’s mental vision, testified about the use of automated signature tools that allow aides to sign memos, documents and other important documents on Biden’s behalf. (Getty Images)
But Tanden, who said his interactions with Biden are limited, explained the approval process that left her in the dark about who specifically ultimately approved the decision to use the automated signing tool, sources told Fox News.
Tanden testified that she will send decision notes to members of Biden’s inner circle to obtain approval for the use of the autopen signature. However, she added that she had no idea how the action or approval was made between the time she sent the decision note and the time she received with the required approval.
When asked if Tanden had ever discussed health health and his fitness as president as a top aide, including during the former president’s widely criticised debate performance last summer, Tanden said he did not. The lawmakers created a list of names of staff who could potentially be discussed, and Tanden said “no” to each name, according to sources familiar with her testimony at the closed door.
Biden claims that “I made a decision” as Republicans are investigating the White House auto.
Neela Tanden, Biden’s former domestic policy director, was the first of a handful of aides who questioned Republicans’ use of the White House autopen tool. (Getty Images; Fox News)
Tanden did not speak to reporters on his way to the Capitol on Tuesday morning. Upon leaving, she expressed her willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
“I spoke to the House Oversight Committee, the Majority and Minority Council. I’m happy to answer all the questions and discuss my public services, and it was a thorough process and I’m happy to answer everyone’s questions,” Tanden told reporters.
Later, when asked if there was any effort to hide Biden’s condition, Tanden replied, “Absolutely not.”
In addition to Tanden, Biden’s former White House doctor, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, appears for a deposition in front of House overseers after being summoned to a Republican.
In addition to Tanden, Biden’s former White House doctor, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, appears for deposit before the House overseer after being summoned to a Republican. Three other high-level staff members agreed to testify. (DOJ/Getty)
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In addition to O’Connor and Tanden, the Oversight Board is planning to contact Anthony Vernal, former senior adviser to First Lady Jill Biden. Annie Tomasini, former vice chief of staff at Biden. Ashley Williams was former deputy director of Oval Office Operations under Biden.
Surveillance Republicans are also seeking interviews with officials who are some of Biden’s closest confidants, including former Chief of Staff Ron Crane and former senior adviser to Communications President Anita Dunn.
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