UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump has just announced that he will be terminating all documents allegedly signed by President Joe Biden using an autopen, reigniting controversy surrounding the Biden administration’s clemency process. This news comes in the wake of a September 6, 2023 report from Axios, revealing that senior Biden officials raised significant concerns about the use of the autopen in pardons during the final days of the Trump presidency.
During a segment on Fox News’ “Saturday in America,” contributing analyst Marc Thiessen discussed the implications of this resurfaced report, emphasizing the legal and ethical questions surrounding Biden’s use of the autopen. Thiessen highlighted that while autopen use is common among U.S. presidents, the Biden administration’s approach appeared to draw scrutiny from within its own ranks.
In a striking moment on air, Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany noted that Biden’s staff secretary, Stef Feldman, expressed doubts about the legitimacy of documents signed by autopen, insisting on clear confirmation of Biden’s intentions. She stated, “It wasn’t ordinary for me to question whether Trump approved something or not,” underscoring a stark contrast in how administrations handle presidential signatures.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly raised alarms over Biden’s clemency process, which set a presidential record for the number of pardons granted, including a controversial pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, on December 1, 2024. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that there was a “mad dash” to finalize pardons, often without proper vetting by the DOJ.
Thiessen pointed out that the legal counsel deemed the use of autopen permissible provided the president intended to use it, yet he argued that the Biden administration’s situation raised serious concerns. “The pardon is a power of the president himself,” he stated. “To have pardons signed by autopen when those managing the autopen weren’t even sure the president had agreed to it? That’s pretty bad stuff.”
The Axios report indicates that multiple senior officials within the Justice Department communicated concerns about the clemency process to the White House counsel’s office. Internal emails revealed that Feldman repeatedly sought clarity regarding Biden’s endorsement of specific documents before utilizing the autopen.
In one instance, Feldman questioned in a January 7 email, “When did we get [Biden’s] approval of this?” regarding an executive order signed via autopen. Another email dated January 16 raised similar issues about using the autopen for commuting sentences linked to crack cocaine cases, highlighting the internal chaos surrounding these decisions.
As the political landscape shifts, the implications of these revelations are significant. With Trump’s announcement, the debate over the legitimacy of Biden’s autopen signatures is likely to intensify, raising questions about the integrity of the presidential pardon power.
WHAT’S NEXT: As this situation develops, observers will be closely watching for further responses from the Biden administration and the DOJ, as well as any potential political fallout from Trump’s decision to terminate these documents. The urgency of these developments makes it crucial for citizens to stay informed and engaged.
This story is not just about political maneuvering; it touches on the very foundation of presidential authority and public trust in government processes. Share this article to keep others informed of these critical developments.
