Trump Claims Biden’s Pardons Related to January 6th Investigation are "VOID" Due to Autopen Use

Former President Donald Trump has ignited a new controversy by asserting that President Joe Biden’s pardons granted to individuals connected to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol riot are invalid. Trump’s claim centers on the alleged use of an autopen to sign the pardons, suggesting that Biden was unaware of and did not approve of the actions.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "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." He further alleged, "In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them! The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden. He knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime."

Trump’s accusations raise questions about the legitimacy of the pardons and the level of involvement President Biden had in their issuance. The former president suggests that if Biden was indeed unaware of the pardons, those responsible for facilitating the autopen signatures may have acted improperly.

The pardons in question, announced by Biden on January 20th, the day he left office, encompassed a range of individuals, including General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee. Biden stated that these individuals "have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions."

Trump’s criticisms extend beyond the pardons themselves. He accuses the Select Committee of destroying and deleting all evidence obtained during their investigation, labeling it a "two year Witch Hunt" against him and others. He implies that the committee members, knowing the pardons may be invalid, are now subject to investigation.

The use of an autopen by the Biden administration has been a subject of scrutiny. The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project, after examining numerous documents bearing Biden’s signature, concluded that most appeared to be signed by an autopen. The organization highlighted this finding on social media, raising concerns about who controlled the White House’s decision-making process.

While traveling on Air Force One, Trump was asked about the validity of executive orders and pardons signed by Biden via an autopen. He responded, "I think so. It’s not my decision. That would be up to a court." This suggests that Trump believes the matter could be litigated, potentially leading to a judicial review of the pardons’ legality.

The controversy surrounding the autopen raises broader questions about the use of technology in government and the extent to which elected officials are personally involved in decision-making. While autopens can enhance efficiency, they also raise concerns about delegation of authority and the potential for abuse. The legal implications of actions taken via autopen are not always clear, and this case could set a precedent for future challenges to government actions.

Trump’s claims, whether substantiated or not, are likely to further polarize the political landscape and fuel ongoing debates about the legitimacy of the January 6th investigation and the Biden administration’s actions. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught relationship between the former and current presidents, and it remains to be seen how this dispute will unfold in the coming weeks and months. The potential for legal challenges and further investigations could prolong the controversy and deepen divisions within the country. This situation has the potential to reignite discussions about presidential power, accountability, and the role of technology in governance. The impact of Trump’s claims on public trust in government institutions remains to be seen, but the controversy is likely to resonate with supporters of both sides of the political spectrum.