The White House has raised serious concerns about a Biden administration staffer's conduct in a controversial pardoning incident.
According to Washington Examiner, the staffer, allegedly, impersonated then-chief of staff Jeff Zients to authorize pardons for the former president's family using an autopen.
The incident revolves around Rosa Po, an adviser to Jeff Zients, who allegedly performed an unauthorized act related to granting pardons. A memorandum to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles detailed the accusations, noting that the staffer may have impersonated Zients in approving the use of an autopen.
In an email sent to both Jeff Zients and Deputy Chief of Policy Bruce Reed, Rosa Po summarized a meeting about pardoning several members of the Biden family. The email suggested that she planned to respond as Zients to approve the procedure right after dispatching the message. Reed then approved the autopen use a mere minute following Po's correspondence, signing as "JZ."
Zients himself reiterated the same authorization message two minutes later. This rapid sequence of approvals has led to speculation within the White House. It indicated that Po could have impersonated either Zients, Reed, or even both, while bypassing the Staff Secretary's oversight.
The former president’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, caused a stir. This pardoning covered a firearm-related offense in Delaware and a tax-related offense in California. Additionally, the former president preemptively pardoned other family members before departing office.
Criticism has mounted over the former president's use of the autopen for such significant decisions. The controversy brings into question the influence of advisors on his decision-making and his mental acuity at that time. Detractors have voiced concerns about the legitimacy and transparency of the pardoning process.
Rosa Po’s email to Zients and Reed, which noted her intent to impersonate, has become a focal point. The email stated,
And Jeff – I will respond from you AFTER this email is sent saying you approve the use of the autopen for all of the pardons in this email.
describing her plan to utilize his authority without his prior knowledge.
The Washington Examiner has reportedly made attempts to contact Rosa Po for additional comments on the matter. As of now, no direct response from Po has been publicly disclosed.
The White House's statement suggested that it appeared "possible" for Po to have impersonated Zients, Reed, or both. This potential misconduct adds layers of contention to an already sensitive issue, casting doubts on internal procedures regarding decision-making.
This development is the latest chapter in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the former president’s administration. The use of an autopen, criticized by many, continues to invite skepticism regarding the administration's adherence to ethical standards.
The situation encapsulates a broader discussion on governance and accountability within the highest echelons of the federal government. As the story unfolds, all eyes remain on how these revelations will influence both public perception and policy.
In the conclusion of this series of events, the White House accused a staffer of executing unauthorized actions. This controversy has ignited debate over the validity and management of the pardon process, raising questions about its transparency and integrity.
