The Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump, has initiated a formal review of clemency decisions issued during the final weeks of former President Joe Biden’s term, as questions mount over the authenticity of documents and the use of an autopen to sign presidential orders.
Ed Martin, the newly appointed U.S. Pardon Attorney, is reportedly spearheading the inquiry. While the DOJ has not yet disclosed the full scope of the review, insiders indicate that high-profile cases—including the preemptive pardon of Hunter Biden and commutations granted to more than 35 federal death row inmates—are under close examination.
Critics say these actions, made just days before Biden left office, raise red flags over potential conflicts of interest and procedural irregularities. Among the most controversial was a sweeping clemency effort that impacted more than 1,500 individuals—a move hailed by Biden’s allies as historic, but derided by opponents as reckless and opaque.
One particular focus of the investigation is the pardon issued to Hunter Biden, which retroactively absolves any federal offenses dating back to 2014. That time period aligns with Hunter’s controversial tenure on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma, which had long been a lightning rod for allegations of influence peddling while Joe Biden was vice president.
Adding fuel to the fire, watchdog groups have raised serious concerns about whether Biden himself authorized many of the pardons and executive orders. Several of these documents appear to bear a mechanically replicated signature, generated by an autopen—raising questions about his physical and cognitive involvement during key decisions.
Energy watchdog Power the Future published a report highlighting what it describes as the “questionable legality” of several climate-related executive orders issued using autopen technology. Their findings align with a March investigation by the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project, which concluded that every signature attributed to Biden during his presidency appeared to be autopen-generated.
As the Justice Department delves deeper, the probe could have lasting implications for how executive authority is exercised and authenticated in the future—especially in the digital age.
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