Lucem News: Connect the Red Dots — Sunday, June 2, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Autopen Allegations: Eight climate-related executive orders (EOs) during Biden’s presidency were reportedly signed using an autopen, with no public acknowledgment from Biden.
- Watchdog Concerns: The group Power the Future found no evidence that Biden was aware of these EOs, raising questions about their legitimacy.
- Economic Impact: The EOs in question had significant effects on the fossil fuel industry, including halting Arctic drilling and imposing clean energy mandates.
- Calls for Investigation: Power the Future has urged multiple federal agencies and oversight committees to investigate the use of the autopen in these instances.
- Presidential Awareness: Speaker Mike Johnson recounted an instance where Biden appeared unaware of an EO pausing LNG exports, further fueling concerns about his involvement.
- Legal and Ethical Implications: The use of the autopen without clear presidential knowledge raises questions about the legality and ethics of such actions.
Connecting the Red Dots
1. The Autopen Controversy
The use of the autopen to sign eight significant climate-related EOs during Biden’s presidency has come under scrutiny. Power the Future’s investigation found no public statements or acknowledgments from Biden regarding these orders, suggesting he may not have been aware of them.
2. Impact on the Fossil Fuel Industry
The EOs in question had profound effects on the fossil fuel sector, including halting Arctic drilling and imposing mandates for clean energy initiatives. These actions contributed to economic challenges within the industry.
3. Questions of Presidential Awareness
An anecdote from Speaker Mike Johnson highlights concerns about Biden’s awareness of his own executive actions. Johnson recounted a meeting where Biden appeared unaware of an EO pausing LNG exports, stating, “I didn’t do that.”
4. Calls for Accountability
In light of these findings, Power the Future has called for investigations by multiple federal agencies and oversight committees to determine the legitimacy of the autopen-signed EOs and who authorized them.
5. Legal and Ethical Implications
The use of the autopen without clear presidential knowledge raises significant legal and ethical questions. If unelected officials authorized these EOs without the president’s awareness, it could constitute a serious breach of democratic norms.
6. The Need for Transparency
This situation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the executive branch. The public deserves to know who is making decisions that have far-reaching impacts on the nation’s economy and environment.
Editorial Opinion: “The Invisible Pen”
So, let me get this straight: We had a president who may not have known about major executive actions taken in his name, using a machine to sign off on policies that reshaped our energy landscape. If that’s not the definition of a puppet presidency, I don’t know what is.
The autopen wasn’t just signing paper; it was signing away jobs, energy independence, and perhaps even the integrity of our executive branch. It’s time we demand answers. Who was really calling the shots? And more importantly, who let it happen?
