Could Biden’s pardons for his political allies be worthless? President Trump just dropped a bombshell by declaring Biden’s last-minute pardons for Fauci, Cheney, and the January 6 committee members completely invalid due to an autopen scandal that could bring serious legal consequences.
At a glance:
• Trump has declared Biden’s pardons “void, vacant and of no further force or effect” because they were allegedly signed with an autopen
• The controversial pardons include former congresswoman Liz Cheney, retired General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and January 6 committee members
• Trump claims Biden “knew nothing about them” and suggests those who processed the pardons may have committed a crime
• The Heritage Foundation has supported Trump’s claims, citing identical signatures on multiple documents
• The constitutional validity of the pardons will likely be determined by the courts, with Trump suggesting prosecutions may proceed despite Biden’s actions
Trump Challenges Validity of Biden’s Last-Minute Pardons
President Donald Trump has thrown down the gauntlet against Biden’s controversial pardons issued during his final days in office. The sweeping clemency actions included preemptive pardons for several Trump critics, including members of the January 6 committee who investigated the Capitol protest – an investigation he believes was corrupt and aimed at harming him politically.
Trump made his position crystal clear, declaring the pardons completely invalid due to their alleged signing by an autopen rather than Biden himself. “The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
The conservative Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project has backed Trump’s claims by identifying what appears to be identical signatures on multiple documents. This evidence suggests Biden may not have personally reviewed or signed the pardons that shield his political allies from potential prosecution under a Trump administration.
Biden’s Controversial Pardons Target Trump Critics
The pardons in question specifically shield individuals who have been vocal critics of Trump, including former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney, General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the January 6 committee. Trump had previously suggested these individuals could face investigation for what called “major crimes.”
Biden justified the pardons in a January 20 statement, saying: “The Select Committee fulfilled this mission with integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth. Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history.”
Trump countered these claims by suggesting Biden lacked awareness of the pardons altogether. “[Biden] knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime,” Trump stated.
Legal Battle Likely to Determine Pardon Validity
The Constitution grants presidents broad pardoning power, but Trump’s challenge introduces unprecedented questions about the method of signature. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged, “it’s not my decision” whether Biden’s pardons can be voided and that the courts would ultimately decide.
The autopen controversy could have noteworthy legal implications if the courts side with Trump’s argument. A ruling in his favor could potentially leave Biden’s political allies vulnerable to investigation and prosecution despite the pardons intended to protect them.
Biden issued a record number of clemency actions before leaving office, including nearly 2,500 commutations, most for nonviolent drug offenses.
