The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer, has opened an investigation into the use of the presidential autopen for pardons during the Biden-Harris administration, issuing subpoenas to several aides for documents and testimony.
On Thursday, former White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients appeared before the committee, providing new details about internal decision-making in the final days of Joe Biden’s term.
Former Biden chief of staff Jeff Zients arrives for House Oversight Committee Biden probe interview
Shakes hands with James Comer, does not answer reporter questionsComer confirmed to reporters this is last scheduled interview for autopen probe pic.twitter.com/TYy9wXpfJW— Liz Elkind (@liz_elkind) September 18, 2025
Reports first surfaced over the summer when the New York Times revealed that Zients approved the use of the autopen for pardons issued on January 19, 2025.
According to the report, Biden convened senior aides in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House residence late into the evening to discuss decisions on clemency.
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At 10:03 p.m., an aide to White House Counsel Ed Siskel sent a draft summary of Biden’s decisions to an assistant to Zients, copying Siskel on the message.
The assistant forwarded the draft to other aides, including Steve Ricchetti and Zients, requesting approval.
By 10:28 p.m., the assistant circulated the final version to White House staff.
At 10:31 p.m., Zients replied to the group, writing, “I approve the use of the autopen for the execution of all of the following pardons.”
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The New York Post reported that Zients confirmed the exchange in his testimony, while also addressing other sensitive matters.
According to a source familiar with his remarks, Zients told investigators that he recommended Biden undergo a cognitive exam after the June 27, 2024, presidential debate, where Biden struggled to answer questions coherently and lost his train of thought multiple times.
Zients reportedly told the committee that he raised the issue directly with White House physician Kevin O’Connor, recommending “a full medical workup” that included a cognitive test.
The June 2024 debate drew widespread attention after Biden delivered halting responses, spoke with a hoarse voice, and at one point stated that his administration had “finally beat Medicare.”
At the time, Biden’s campaign staff attributed his performance to a “cold,” though he was photographed shortly after the debate visiting a Waffle House.
In addition to concerns about Biden’s mental fitness, Zients’ testimony touched on Hunter Biden’s involvement in the administration’s pardon process.
According to the New York Post, Zients told congressional investigators that Hunter Biden attended some pardon-related meetings toward the end of the administration.
“Toward the end of the Biden administration, Hunter Biden was involved with the pardon discussions and attended a few meetings,” Zients reportedly said, confirming earlier reports about the president’s son exerting influence while facing legal challenges of his own, including a firearms felony conviction and a guilty plea on tax evasion charges.
BREAKING: Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff Jeff Zients just CONFESSED that HUNTER was “DIRECTLY INVOLVED” in PARDONS
Zients told investigators that the FIRST-SON was sitting in on White House MEETINGS, while Joe was adding more SLEEP TIME to his schedule pic.twitter.com/sTpR5l4oML— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 19, 2025
The disclosures have intensified scrutiny over how pardons were granted in the administration’s final days and the role of senior staff and family members in the decision-making process.
The committee’s inquiry is expected to include review of emails, meeting records, and testimony from additional aides who participated in the discussions.
Zients declined to speak with reporters following his closed-door interview, but congressional sources indicated that the Oversight Committee will continue its investigation into both the autopen approvals and the circumstances surrounding Biden’s cognitive health assessments.
The findings come as lawmakers evaluate the extent to which presidential authority was delegated during Biden’s term, and whether established protocols were followed in the execution of pardons.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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