President Donald Trump has made headlines once again, this time with a sweeping declaration regarding pardons issued by former President Joe Biden. In a fiery statement posted to Truth Social in the early hours of Monday morning, Trump announced that any pardons granted by Biden via autopen are now “void,” specifically targeting figures tied to the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6th protests.
“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,” Trump wrote.
His accusation carries significant weight, as it raises serious legal and constitutional questions about the legitimacy of these pardons. Trump’s argument isn’t just about the technicality of an autopen signature—it’s about whether Biden was even aware these pardons were being issued in the first place.
There is a political group that does not believe in signature verification for mail-in election ballots.
Unsurprisingly, that same group is fine with one or more aides of Biden controlling an autopen of Biden’s signature, despite Biden clearly having been senile for all or most… pic.twitter.com/yUXyl3LhKV
— Jeff Clark (@JeffClarkUS) March 15, 2025
A recent report from the New York Post has fueled the controversy, revealing that a top Biden aide may have exercised unilateral control over the autopen, potentially making high-stakes decisions without the direct knowledge or authorization of the president. “There is no clarity on who actually approved what—POTUS or [the aide],” the source told the Post. If true, this revelation could suggest a level of executive dysfunction unprecedented in modern American history.
Presidents have long used autopen technology for routine matters, but significant decisions like pardons typically require personal review and approval. This becomes even more concerning given Biden’s well-documented cognitive struggles, which insiders have reportedly been aware of for years. If an unelected staffer effectively had the power to sign presidential pardons without oversight, the implications could be staggering.
Among the most controversial figures allegedly granted pardons in Biden’s final hours were Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Adam Schiff—key members of the House Select Committee on January 6th. The committee, often criticized for its one-sided narrative, played a major role in prosecuting Trump allies and shaping the public perception of the Capitol protests. Their pardons raise questions about whether they were preemptively shielding themselves from potential future legal scrutiny.
President Trump has said the pardons issued in President Biden’s final day are void due to auto-pen signings. He’s aiming for the J6 committee. pic.twitter.com/agKO81SNMV
— COL Conrad Reynolds (@ColonelReynolds) March 17, 2025
Also included in the batch of last-minute pardons were Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley. Fauci, a central figure in the federal government’s COVID-19 response, has been accused of misleading Congress about gain-of-function research. Milley, meanwhile, came under fire for reports that he secretly assured China he would warn them in advance if the U.S. launched a military strike—an act many viewed as dangerously close to treason.
Trump’s declaration that these pardons are “void” is, of course, not an official legal ruling. However, his call for a high-level investigation could lead to major legal battles in the months ahead. The crux of the issue will likely hinge on whether Biden personally authorized these pardons or if they were issued without his direct involvement. If evidence emerges that the latter is true, the legality of these pardons could face serious challenges.
Beyond the autopen controversy, another question looms: Can a president issue blanket, preemptive pardons to individuals who have not yet been convicted of crimes? The answer is murky, and legal scholars may soon be forced to grapple with its implications.
