President Donald Trump is challenging a number of pardons made by former President Joe Biden just before leaving office. Trump says those pardons may not be legal because they were signed using an autopen, a mechanical device used to duplicate a signature.
In a late-night post on his social media platform, Trump said, "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 they were done by autopen."
Trump’s comments raised questions about whether such pardons can be considered valid. The Justice Department has said in the past that using an autopen is legally acceptable, but Trump and some conservative groups are now arguing otherwise.
Who Did Biden Pardon Before Leaving Office?
Just before leaving the White House, Biden issued a group of pardons that caught national attention. Some of the people included were members of his own family, the January 6 Committee, and other public figures who had not been charged with any crimes at the time.
Critics were quick to question why these pardons were issued, especially for people who were not under legal threat. Even some Democrats questioned the decision to include Biden's family members.
Trump’s Response After Taking Office
The day after taking office, President Trump used his own presidential powers to pardon nearly 1,600 people who had been charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. Trump has long claimed that those individuals were being treated unfairly.
He has often criticized the January 6 Committee, even calling it the "Unselect Committee," and said some of its members, including former Representative Liz Cheney, should be sent to jail.
Debate Over Biden’s Use of the Autopen
At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration is questioning whether Biden personally authorized the pardons since they were signed using an autopen instead of by hand.
Although the Justice Department ruled in 2005 that autopen signatures are legally valid for presidential documents, Trump’s team argues that this case deserves new scrutiny. The conservative Heritage Foundation has also raised similar concerns.
Biden Defended His Actions Before Leaving
Biden had previously addressed the criticism over his pardons. He said he acted out of concern for his family and others who might be targeted for political reasons.
"My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me...the worst kind of partisan politics," Biden said in a statement. "Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end."
Why the Pardons Sparked Controversy
Some legal experts say it is unusual for a president to issue so many preemptive pardons, especially for people not charged with a crime. That decision alone has caused many to question the intent behind the move.
Congressman Jamie Raskin responded by pointing out the difference between Biden’s pardons and Trump’s actions. "Why were they being pardoned? That’s my question. In other words, were they innocent?" Raskin said in an interview. "Nobody’s asserting that. Or were they being pardoned simply because they were the willing political soldier for Donald Trump when he incited an insurrection against the government?”
Looking Ahead: Legal and Political Impact
It’s still unclear what legal steps, if any, will be taken to challenge the pardons. Trump said that it may be up to the courts to decide whether they remain valid or not.
The issue could turn into a bigger legal debate about presidential authority and the limits of pardoning powers. Political analysts believe it will also remain a key talking point as Trump continues his term and faces opposition from Democrats.
While many legal experts say Biden’s pardons are legally sound, others argue this situation could test how far the use of autopen signatures can go under the law.
As debates continue and political tensions grow, the controversy over these pardons may shape more legal and political discussions in the weeks ahead.
Keywords: Trump Biden pardons, presidential pardons, autopen controversy, US politics, White House news, presidential powers, legal debate