• Trump orders a probe into Biden's alleged use of an autopen to sign key documents.
• Biden vehemently denies claims of cognitive decline, asserting he made all presidential decisions.
• The investigation highlights tensions within the Republican Party regarding Biden's mental fitness.

President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into former President Joe Biden's actions during his presidency, particularly focusing on allegations that Biden's aides used an autopen to sign official documents, implying this was part of a conspiracy to conceal his cognitive decline. In a memo, Trump characterized these issues as "one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history," asserting that the use of the autopen undermines the legitimacy of many presidential actions signed under Biden's name, including pardons and executive orders, according to HuffPost, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

Trump's memorandum specifically directs White House Counsel David Warrington and Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate "whether certain individuals conspired to deceive the public about Biden's mental state and unconstitutionally exercise the authorities and responsibilities of the President." In this context, Trump claims that Biden's aides restricted his public interactions and used an autopen for key documents, which he argues raises legal concerns regarding their validity, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

Biden responded firmly, denying any claims of inadequacy and asserting his authority by stating, "Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency." He dismissed Trump's investigation as a distraction designed to redirect attention from important legislative issues, particularly those concerning tax cuts proposed by Republicans, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.

The investigation has sparked discussions among Republican lawmakers, led by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who have called for interviews with former Biden aides to explore the reasoning behind Biden's use of an autopen. Comer emphasized the necessity for transparency and accountability regarding Biden's cognitive state during his presidency, whereas Biden's team argues that use of the autopen follows a long-standing presidential practice and does not invalidate any actions taken, according to NPR, HuffPost, and India Times.

The allegations of Biden's cognitive decline gained momentum following a widely criticized debate performance last year, leading to intensified scrutiny of his mental and physical fitness for office. Many key Democratic figures have expressed concerns and some have suggested that Biden could have stepped aside to allow the party to field a more viable candidate during the elections, according to India Times and Salon.