The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: BOMBSHELL! House Probe Alleges Biden Wasn't Calling the Shots on Exec Orders or Pardons
Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson
Key Guest/Voice: James Comer (House Oversight Committee Chairman), various anonymous and attributed congressional testimonies and White House aides
Episode Overview
This episode centers around a "bombshell" report released by the House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer, that alleges President Joe Biden was not personally authorizing executive orders or presidential pardons during his administration’s latter months. The episode examines charges of a cover-up regarding Biden's cognitive decline, questions about the White House's use of the autopen to sign key documents, and features excerpts from committee depositions, including moments where staffers and the President's physician plead the Fifth.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The House Oversight Committee Report and Autopen Investigation
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The House Oversight Committee has called on the Department of Justice to investigate whether the use of the autopen for signing documents points to an administrative cover-up of President Biden’s alleged cognitive decline.
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Comer claims a “shadow presidency” was effectively operated by staffers and aides, not by Biden himself, particularly with respect to signing executive orders and granting pardons.
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Quote:
“Each staffer gave conflicting reports as to how the autopen use was authorized... but the one thing that was consistent... was that they never saw Joe Biden, never heard from Joe Biden, were never in any meeting or policy discussions with Joe Biden when he talked about pardons or executive orders.”
— James Comer [05:27] -
Key staffers reportedly rarely met with or spoke to Biden, and “no chain of custody” demonstrates Biden’s involvement in these high-level decisions.
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Dr. O’Connor, the President’s physician, reportedly “pled the fifth” when given the opportunity to defend his public statements about Biden's mental fitness.
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Quote:
“There’s no evidence that exists, no notes, nothing that exists that Joe Biden was involved in any of the decision-making processes.”
— James Comer [07:10]
2. Deposition and Testimony Highlights
- Of the 12 Biden staffers deposed, only Chief of Staff Jeff Zients claimed any regular contact with the President; most others had not seen or interacted with him regarding executive actions.
- Inconsistencies abounded:
- Different stories on the process for autopen usage.
- When Department of Justice emails raised concerns with staffers, their stories changed again.
- Some senior staff — and the White House Press Secretary — admitted to only rare or brief interactions with Biden.
- Testimony noted the President “was shielded” from staff and meetings, and many aides invoked the Fifth Amendment in committee.
- Quote:
“The staffers confirmed that they would go weeks, months and even years without communicating with Joe Biden. This is a massive cover-up.”
— James Comer [09:28]
3. Broader Allegations and the Question of Legitimacy
- Comer and Ferguson underscore how this situation creates doubts about who was truly “running the country.”
- The report alleges lying to both the public and fellow Democrats about the President’s cognitive state.
- Testimony montage highlights conflicting internal and external narratives about Biden’s mental fitness, age, and involvement.
4. Media and White House Response
- Clips played from media and staffers show denial or downplaying of President Biden’s cognitive decline.
- Some claim “this version of Biden is the best Biden ever,” while others admit behind closed doors to issues like confusion, shuffling, and gaffes.
- Advisor Annie Thomas pleads the Fifth on substantive questions about presidential health and decision-making.
- Quote:
“They were lying not just to the public, they were lying to other Democrats.”
— Ben Ferguson [15:33]
5. Hunter Biden's Alleged Role
- A discussed revelation claims that Hunter Biden at times played a quasi-Chief of Staff role, increasingly involved in family and staff decisions as the administration wore on.
- Quote:
“Hunter was driving the decision-making for the family. He was almost like a Chief of Staff. Did you notice an uptick ever when Hunter Biden was around? Yes. Towards the end, I think he was living with the President.”
— Unknown/Comer Testimony [15:17]
6. The Public's Right to Know
- Ferguson urges listeners to share the episode, citing a lack of mainstream media coverage of the findings.
- The situation is framed as urgent, questioning the legitimacy of decisions and pardons from the latter Biden administration.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
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“Describe a shadow presidency basically run through a series of White House aides and the autopen.”
— Ben Ferguson [05:18] -
“We gave the White House physician, Dr. O’Connor, an opportunity...and he pled the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination.”
— James Comer [06:32] -
“So who was running the country? ...We know that Joe Biden was not running the show at all.”
— Ben Ferguson [09:25] -
“Flashback now to the legacy media’s complete denial of the president’s cognitive decline. Start your tape right now because I’m about to tell you the truth. And f you if you can’t handle the truth.”
— Ben Ferguson [13:19] -
“She has now taken the fifth... There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability.”
— Narrator [14:12] -
“Did you ever ask Joe Biden if the allegations regarding his son were true? No.”
— Ben Ferguson/Debutant [15:45]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [04:14] — Introduction of the House Oversight Committee Report on autopen usage
- [05:15] — Key discussion with James Comer about inconsistent staff testimony
- [07:35] — Summary of staff shielding and absence of Biden from decision-making
- [08:09] — Does direct evidence exist of Biden’s involvement? (Comer says no)
- [11:32] — Compilation of testimony highlighting the degree of isolation around Biden
- [13:03] — Discussion about internal campaign and advisement regarding Biden’s cognitive health
- [14:05] — Pattern of staffers pleading the Fifth
- [15:17] — Allegation of Hunter Biden acting as de facto Chief of Staff
- [17:02] — Remarks on Biden’s public gaffes and incidents cited as evidence
- [19:29] — Final remarks on autopen usage and uncertainty about who authorized “autopen” decisions
- [19:39] — Ben Ferguson’s call to share and spread the episode
Tone & Style
The episode maintains a sharply critical and urgent tone, often expressing incredulity and frustration at perceived cover-up and lack of transparency. Ferguson and Comer’s language is direct, sometimes confrontational, and openly skeptical of both the White House and media narratives. There is a clear intent to rally listeners, with frequent calls to action and assertions of information being withheld from the public.
Summary
This episode of The 47 Morning Update delivers an extensive critique of President Biden’s administration, centered on allegations of concealed cognitive decline and delegation (or abdication) of presidential decision-making. Supported by extensive (and, at times, conflicting) staffer testimony, the episode argues that high-level executive functions were performed without Biden’s knowledge or involvement, casting doubts on official documents and the integrity of executive actions. Through clips, quotes, and direct committee evidence, Ferguson and Comer challenge official narratives and conclude with an appeal to the audience to share what they frame as an under-reported, vital story.
