Context:

Senator Ron Johnson, chairing the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations, is demanding the National Archives release all records related to former President Joe Biden’s mental and physical health, amid allegations of a cover-up during his presidency. The investigation is questioning the decision-making process and the use of an autopen for signing documents and granting pardons, including one controversial hand-signed pardon for Biden’s son, Hunter. The White House Counsel's Office and the Justice Department are jointly examining over 27,000 documents from the National Archives related to the alleged cover-up, and the involvement of Biden’s staff and cabinet members in these decisions. Congressional committees are also investigating the potential implications of Biden’s use of autopen and his health, while the White House maintains that Biden personally made all decisions. The investigation, described as a massive effort, aims to resolve questions about the integrity of presidential actions during Biden's tenure, with a deadline set for record submission by July 30 from the acting archivist, Marco Rubio.

Dive Deeper:

• Senator Ron Johnson has initiated a probe into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive and physical health, alleging a cover-up by Biden, his cabinet, and staff during his presidency. This investigation is led by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations chaired by Johnson.

• The probe questions the legitimacy of decisions made during Biden’s presidency, especially concerning the use of an autopen, a device that replicates signatures, for signing official documents and granting pardons. Biden's reliance on an autopen has raised concerns about his involvement in key decisions.

• Over 27,000 documents have been reviewed by the White House Counsel’s Office and the Justice Department to investigate the alleged cover-up of Biden’s health status. Johnson is demanding the release of all records from the National Archives that relate to Biden’s mental and physical health.

• Biden’s use of the autopen included signing numerous pardons, with the exception of one hand-signed pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, which has been a point of controversy. Trump has criticized this practice, calling into question the validity of such pardons.

• Congressional committees, including the House Oversight Committee, are conducting parallel investigations into both Biden's health and the use of the autopen. The White House insists these investigations are separate from its own internal review.

• The deadline for the acting archivist, Marco Rubio, to provide the demanded records to Senator Johnson is July 30. The investigation seeks to clarify who was responsible for presidential decisions when Biden's capacity was allegedly compromised.

• The White House and the Justice Department are managing this extensive investigation, described as a significant effort, with the aim to conclude as promptly as possible, amid ongoing scrutiny of presidential actions during Biden’s administration.