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Biden’s Final Pardons Under Scrutiny After Autopen Revelation
A growing controversy is unfolding over how former President Joe Biden handled a massive wave of pardons during his final months in office. A new report from The New York Times reveals that Biden may not have personally approved many of the individuals granted clemency, despite previous White House claims.
Instead of reviewing each case, Biden reportedly gave broad verbal guidelines. These standards were then used by staff to determine who would be pardoned or have sentences reduced. The names were revised frequently, but according to an aide, these updates were never brought back to the president for final approval.
The Autopen Question
Rather than signing each clemency action himself, Biden’s staff employed an autopen — a mechanical signature device — to finalize the documents. Staff Secretary Stefanie Feldman is said to have operated the machine under Biden’s general direction. The only exception? A personal pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, which he reportedly signed by hand.
This method of mass approval has raised red flags. Critics are now questioning the legality and ethics of issuing thousands of pardons with what some describe as minimal presidential oversight. Among the recipients were over 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders, 1,500 inmates on home confinement, and even controversial figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and January 6 Committee members.
Fallout From the Report
The report contradicts earlier statements made by the Biden administration. At the time, officials insisted the president had reviewed each case. Now, those assurances are being walked back. Republicans in Congress and former President Donald Trump have launched investigations into whether the use of the autopen circumvented legal requirements.
Former White House legal staff are also reportedly being questioned over how these decisions were processed. Did the president delegate too much authority? Was the law followed? These are the questions now at the heart of a deepening inquiry.
Why It Matters
The use of the autopen is not new, but its scale in this case appears unprecedented. Legal experts note that while the president has full constitutional authority to grant clemency, the manner in which it’s executed still matters. If key decisions were made without full knowledge of individual cases, that could damage public trust in the justice system.
Further complicating the matter is Biden’s declining public credibility in his final year in office. Many Americans had already expressed concerns about who was really in control behind the scenes. This new revelation may fuel those doubts.
As investigations proceed, expect the fallout to grow. For now, one thing is clear: the story behind Biden’s final pardons is far from over.
