The President's directive raises questions about the legitimacy of decisions made during Biden's presidency amidst claims of a conspiracy.
On June 5, 2025, President
Donald Trump announced the launch of an inquiry into former President
Joe Biden's administration, alleging that there was a conspiracy to obscure the former president's health decline and usurp his authority.
Trump's announcement is part of a broader narrative he has maintained since the 2020 election, where he has continually claimed, without evidence, that the election was stolen from him.
The inquiry will be conducted by the White House attorney and aims to investigate whether individuals within Biden's team engaged in misleading the public about Biden's mental fitness and whether such actions constituted an unconstitutional exertion of presidential powers.
Trump's statement highlighted concerns that former advisors to Biden may have illegitimately utilized automatic signature systems to execute presidential powers.
Trump characterized the alleged conspiracy as possibly one of the most alarming scandals in American history, emphasizing the need to examine which documents received automatic signatures, particularly those relating to pardons and executive orders.
In a swift response, Biden dismissed these allegations as "ridiculous and false," firmly asserting that he retained decisional authority throughout his presidency regarding pardons, laws, and declarations.
Just prior to Trump's inauguration, Biden granted preemptive pardons to several political allies and family members, including his son Hunter Biden, who has been a focal point of Trump's criticism.
During his campaign and subsequent presidency, Trump has questioned Biden's cognitive abilities.
Recently, Biden, aged 82, disclosed that he is suffering from an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Trump remarked on the issue, expressing surprise that the public was not informed of Biden's condition sooner.
Reports suggest that Biden's team has limited his interactions with the press and even other officials during his tenure.
Since mid-2023, Biden has displayed increasing signs of fatigue and was noted for making verbal gaffes.
The White House maintains that Biden is healthy and mentally capable.
However, Biden faced significant scrutiny during a televised debate with Trump in late June 2025, where his performance raised concerns among observers.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has executed several actions stemming from a publicly stated desire for retribution, including granting clemency to individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots and pursuing legal action against former officials opposed to him.
He has also targeted academic institutions and media outlets he perceives as promoting progressive ideologies.