Donald Trump has declared Joe Biden’s final wave of presidential pardons void, claiming that Biden did not personally authorize them and that they were signed using an autopen rather than by hand. The pardons in question included Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, members of Biden’s family, and officials involved in the January 6 investigation.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce that these pardons were “VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT” because Biden allegedly did not personally review or approve them. He further claimed that those granted pardons, particularly the January 6 committee members, should now be investigated for their actions against his administration. He also suggested that whoever controlled the autopen under Biden was the “real President.”
Legal experts are now debating whether Trump has the constitutional authority to revoke legally issued pardons. While past presidents, including Barack Obama and Harry Truman, have used autopens for official documents, there is no clear legal precedent for whether a pardon signed this way is valid without direct presidential approval.
This move has sparked backlash from Biden’s allies, who accuse Trump of overstepping his authority and weaponizing the justice system. Meanwhile, Biden’s team has yet to respond officially, but legal challenges are expected as those affected by Trump’s decision fight to have their pardons reinstated.
