Former President Donald Trump has announced that he has nullified all pardons signed by his successor, President Joe Biden, using an autopen. This controversial statement was made on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he declared that any official documents signed by Biden’s autopen are “null, void, and of no further force or effect.”
Understanding Trump’s Claims about Biden’s Autopen Pardons
Trump’s assertion raises questions about the legality of the pardons issued by Biden, especially since Biden is known for his extensive use of the autopen, a device that allows signatures to be applied mechanically. Trump stated, “Anyone receiving ‘Pardons’ or ‘Commutations’ should know their documents have been completely terminated.”
Biden’s Acts of Clemency
During his presidency, Biden issued a remarkable 4,245 acts of clemency, surpassing any other U.S. president in the 20th century. According to the Pew Research Center, most of these actions consisted of commutations, which reduced sentences rather than granting full pardons. Biden granted 80 individual pardons, signifying the second-lowest number in the same timeframe.
- Biden’s pardons impacted certain classes of people, including military members and those convicted of federal marijuana offenses.
- It remains unclear how many of these actions were signed with the autopen.
Is Trump’s Reversal Legal?
Legal experts assert that Trump lacks the authority to revoke pardons once they have been issued. Bernadette Miller, a constitutional law specialist, noted, “This declaration has no legal effect. Pardons and laws signed by Biden remain valid.” PolitiFact, a well-known fact-checking organization, echoed this understanding, highlighting that there is no constitutional mechanism for overturning pardons.
The U.S. Constitution does not stipulate that a signature must be written by hand, further complicating Trump’s claims.
Potential Impact of Trump’s Claims
Trump has previously criticized several pardons granted to lawmakers who investigated the January 6 Capitol insurrection. He labelled these pardons as “void” during discussions on Truth Social, claiming that they were signed using the autopen.
These lawmakers, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, have faced backlash from Trump and his allies, who view their actions as betrayals. The context of the January 6 events adds a layer of complexity to this ongoing political discourse.
The Use of Autopen in Presidential History
Biden is not the first American president to utilize an autopen. The technology has found use throughout U.S. history. Notably, Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama also employed autopens for various documents.
Overall, Trump’s assertion raises significant legal and political questions about the power dynamics and procedural nuances surrounding presidential pardons.
