An investigation has commenced into former President Joe Biden's use of an autopen for granting pardons.
These pardons, including those for family members and significant political figures, are now under scrutiny by the House Oversight Committee, Newsmax reported.
The probe, led by Chairman James Comer, focuses on the legitimacy of Biden's pardons awarded through the autopen device while he was reportedly on vacation. According to reports, these included pardons for his family members, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Jan. 6 select committee members, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Gen. Mark Milley.
During a speech at the Republican National Lawyers Association’s policy conference in Washington, Chairman James Comer announced the initiation of this investigation. He highlighted particular concerns regarding who may have controlled the autopen, likening it to controlling presidential power. Official records indicate that the autopen was utilized to sign multiple documents, including six criminal pardons on December 30, 2022. This happened during a period when former President Biden was vacationing and playing golf in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Republican-led Oversight Committee questions whether Biden was aware of or had consented to the documents signed in his absence. The autopen’s usage raises serious issues about the delegation of presidential authority, given Biden's physical absence from the signing process.
Former President Donald Trump criticized these pardons, declaring them 'void, vacant, and of no further force or effect' because he believes Biden failed to sign them personally and instead used an autopen.
Regarding the staffer believed to be involved with the autopen, Chairman James Comer stated in his announcement: "So our newest investigation at Oversight Committee is we’re investigating the autopen, and I think we’ve identified the staffer who operated it."
The Oversight Project also weighed in on the matter, issuing a strong statement regarding the autopen's implications for presidential authority. This group has expressed concerns throughout its investigation that started in March.
Additionally, the New York Post reports that a key Biden aide may have operated the autopen without proper authorization, further muddying the waters of presidential accountability. This staffer, who has not responded to requests for comment, often cited 'what the boss wanted,' raising questions about their actual authority and the White House’s adherence to formal procedures.
As quoted by a White House source in the New York Post: "To me, [the staffer] basically was the president."
These unfolding developments prompt a broader debate about the use of autopens in sensitive governmental operations, touching on issues of transparency, authority, and legitimacy in presidential actions. The controversy has ignited discussions about the appropriate use and potential risks of delegating such significant powers, especially during periods when the President is not directly available to oversee actions conducted in their official capacity.
As this investigation progresses, political and legal experts will closely monitor the outcomes and their implications for future administrations. Chairman Comer expects significant developments and hints that, if investigators confirm his suspicions, they may uncover compelling evidence of misconduct in official duties.
The oversight of presidential authority, especially in the context of granting pardons, remains a contentious issue, with this investigation likely to shape discussions on executive powers and accountability for years to come.
