Trump Declares Biden’s Last-Minute Pardons ‘Void’ Over Autopen Signature

President Donald Trump has claimed that President Joe Biden’s last-minute pardons are “void” because they were signed using an autopen rather than by hand. In a post on Truth Social early Monday, Trump stated, “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.”

Biden, just before leaving office in January, issued a series of controversial pardons, including for his family, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and lawmakers who served on the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riot. According to The Hill, there had been widespread speculation that Biden might use executive action to shield key figures from potential legal challenges under a new Trump administration. Trump, however, argued that Biden “did not sign the papers and did not know anything about them!” raising doubts over their legitimacy.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump reiterated that the issue would ultimately be decided by the courts. “It’s not my decision, that’ll be up to a court,” he told reporters, adding that those involved in the January 6 investigation should “expect to be investigated at the highest level.” With legal experts divided on whether an autopen signature could invalidate a presidential pardon,

the debate is likely to intensify as Trump continues to challenge Biden’s final acts in office.