The Department of Justice has launched an inquiry into several controversial pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, focusing on whether they were lawfully executed and whether Biden had full mental capacity during the process.
The investigation is being led by the Office of the Pardon Attorney and centers on a series of clemency orders signed in the final weeks of Biden’s presidency. Of particular concern is the widespread use of an autopen — a mechanical device that reproduces signatures — to authorize pardons and commutations, including those granted to members of Biden’s family and dozens of federal inmates.
Among the pardons under review is a sweeping preemptive pardon for Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, covering a broad time span beginning in 2014. Also being scrutinized are commutations of over 35 death row inmates whose sentences were reduced to life without parole.
Critics have raised concerns that the scale of the pardons — over 1,500 issued in one day — and the use of a signature machine raise questions about oversight, accountability, and potential abuse of power. Some opponents claim the actions may have shielded allies and family members from future prosecution.
Additionally, watchdog groups have flagged executive orders related to climate policy that were signed using the same autopen method. These findings have sparked a broader review of Biden’s signing practices, especially during the final months of his term when questions about his health and mental clarity became more prominent.
The Justice Department has not yet released findings from the investigation, but officials say they are evaluating both the legality of the documents and the president’s capacity at the time of their signing.
As the review unfolds, it is likely to become a flashpoint in ongoing political debates about executive power, transparency, and the limits of presidential pardon authority.
