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Donald Trump has asserted that all pardons granted by former President Joe Biden are nullified, following allegations that Biden utilized an autopen device to sign these documents.
This statement was made on Truth Social early Monday, as Trump cast doubt on the authenticity of Biden’s clemency actions, suggesting that his predecessor did not personally sign the documents.
Trump’s statements were made without supporting evidence, as he contended that Biden was unaware of several pre-emptive pardons issued to members of the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021 insurrection, as well as to others who received clemency during Biden’s final hours in office on January 19.
In a post, Trump declared, “The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen.”
He further claimed that not only did Biden fail to sign these pardons personally, but he was also allegedly oblivious to their approval process: “The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden.”
Presidential authority includes the power to issue pardons and commutations for federal offenses, yet this power does not extend to state crimes. Trump previously exercised his powers to grant clemency to over 1,500 individuals linked to events surrounding January 6, and now suggests those involved in the House select committee’s investigation are no longer protected by pardons, implying that investigations into them may resume.
He stated, “Therefore, those on the Unselect Committee, who destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two year Witch Hunt of me, and many other innocent people, should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level.”
Trump’s comments imply potential legal consequences for those Biden pardoned, which could reflect an unprecedented reexamining of presidential pardon authority, particularly given Trump’s stated intent to pursue investigations against his political adversaries.
Earlier, while speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump indicated that whether the pardons remain valid could ultimately be determined by the judiciary. He reiterated, without substantiation, that Biden was uninformed about the pardons being authorized.
Additionally, Trump utilized a meme on Truth Social, humorously altering Biden’s official portrait to depict an autopen, stating that “the person who was the real President during the Biden years was the person who controlled the Autopen!”
Trump’s assertions were seemingly influenced by a report from the Oversight Project, an initiative linked to the right-leaning Heritage Foundation, which recently criticized Biden’s use of an autopen for official documents.
However, a review conducted by Fox News of Trump’s own executive orders revealed similarities in his signature patterns, suggesting that autopen usage is not uncommon among presidents.
The implications of Trump’s claims are significant, as they may signal future legal challenges to the pardons issued by Biden. These include high-profile figures like retired disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and former Representative Liz Cheney, all pardoned on Biden’s last day in office amid prior threats of prosecution from Trump’s camp.
In contrast, Trump himself had previously pre-emptively pardoned members of his family, indicating a complex interplay of political strategy surrounding clemency. Noteworthy is Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who has faced allegations of selective prosecution, along with several other activists receiving clemency at the end of his term.
Additionally, Biden commuted the sentences of approximately 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, showcasing his administration’s approach to criminal justice reform as he neared the conclusion of his presidency.
Source
www.yahoo.com