Trump claims Biden's pardons are invalid due to autopen

Former President Donald Trump claimed this week that pardons issued by President Joe Biden are "void." He argued that these pardons were signed using an autopen, a machine that replicates signatures. Trump made his comments on Truth Social, insisting that the pardons lack legal validity because Biden was not fully informed about them. This statement comes as a challenge to the executive power of the presidency and raises questions about the justice system during Trump's time in office. Stephen Miller, a White House Deputy Chief of Staff, supported Trump’s claims. He said that Biden was completely unaware of the pardons while on vacation in Delaware. The debate over autopen signatures has been ongoing, but past legal opinions state that such signatures are acceptable. John P. Fishwick Jr., a former U.S. Attorney, noted that while using an autopen may not be ideal for pardons, it is not against the law. He mentioned that a president can even issue a pardon verbally without any written documentation. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Trump supporter, has called for an investigation into Biden's approval of the pardons. He raised concerns about Biden’s mental fitness. This issue has gained traction in Trump-aligned media. Members of the January 6th committee have largely rejected Trump’s assertions. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin pointed out that Trump had also used autopens to grant many pardons. It remains uncertain how far Trump will pursue this issue. There are possibilities that his Justice Department may seek testimony from Biden officials regarding the claims. However, any legal challenges to the pardons may not have a significant impact if the political fallout has already occurred.