Donald Trump talks to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, with national security adviser Mike Waltz observing. REUTERS
Donald Trump claimed on Monday that pardons issued by President Joe Biden are invalid because they were signed with an autopen. He provided no evidence to support this claim.
Trump made the statement on his social media platform, calling the pardons “void, vacant, and of no further force or effect.” He argued that Biden didn’t personally sign the documents and even suggested the president wasn’t aware of them.
The controversy comes after Biden gave pre-emptive pardons to family members and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump, who was blamed for inciting the riot, described the panel as “political thugs.”
What Is an Autopen?
An autopen is a device that replicates a person’s signature. It allows officials to sign large volumes of documents quickly. Presidents have used this tool for decades to sign bills, letters, and other official papers.
Trump Doubles Down on the Claim
On Sunday, while aboard Air Force One, Trump repeated his claim. He told reporters that he believed the pardons were invalid. He said the matter would ultimately be decided by a court but insisted the use of the autopen made the pardons meaningless.
A right-wing think tank, which supports Trump, released a report arguing that “whoever controlled the autopen controlled the presidency.” However, fact-checkers debunked the claim. They noted that U.S. law doesn’t require presidents to physically sign pardons.
Autopen Use Is Common
Historically, several presidents have used autopens. Harry Truman was the first to use the device after World War II. John F. Kennedy also relied on it heavily. However, the White House kept its use secret until the Gerald Ford administration publicly acknowledged it.
In 2011, Barack Obama faced criticism when he used an autopen to sign an extension of the Patriot Act while on vacation. Despite the backlash, courts upheld the legality of autopen-signed documents.
Trump’s Claims Rejected by Experts
Legal experts say Trump’s claim has no legal basis. According to the U.S. Justice Department, the president can decide how pardons are issued. They don’t need to be personally signed. Last year, a federal appeals court ruled that presidential pardons don’t even need to be in writing.
Biden’s pardons included members of the January 6 committee, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both Republicans who opposed Trump. The committee members denied wanting or needing pardons, stating they did nothing wrong.
Mississippi Democrat Bennie Thompson, who chaired the panel, dismissed Trump’s claim, saying it had “no basis in reality.” Kinzinger also mocked Trump, daring him to take legal action.
Fear of Retaliation Grows
Despite the lack of evidence, Trump’s threats have raised concerns about political retaliation. Many believe he may target government officials and lawyers who investigated him.
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