President Donald Trump has announced plans to review the validity of pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, particularly those signed using an autopen, a device that replicates signatures. Trump argues that such pardons may be “void” if Biden was unaware of them.
Biden’s last-minute pardons included preemptive clemency for family members and former officials involved in the January 6 investigation, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. These pardons were intended to shield them from possible prosecution under Trump’s administration.
Legal experts note that autopen signatures have been used by past presidents, including Barack Obama and George W. Bush, and are generally considered legally valid. However, Trump insists that these pardons warrant further scrutiny, particularly for those he believes acted improperly.
The issue may ultimately be settled in court, as there is no precedent for a sitting president nullifying past pardons. The outcome could redefine the scope of presidential pardon powers.
