President Donald Trump claimed that former President Joe Biden’s recent pardons are invalid. Trump alleged Biden used an autopen for signatures and lacked knowledge of the pardons.
"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 posted on Truth Social.
Trump further insisted, "In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them! The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden."
He added, "He knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime."
Trump continued to criticize the committee members involved. "Therefore, those on the Unselect Committee, who destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two year Witch Hunt of me, and many other innocent people, should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level," he warned.
Trump further accused committee members of wrongdoing. "The fact is, they were probably responsible for the Documents that were signed on their behalf without the knowledge or consent of the Worst President in the History of our Country, Crooked Joe Biden!" he stated.
When asked aboard Air Force One if autopen signatures rendered Biden’s pardons void, Trump replied cautiously. "I think so. It's not my decision. That would be up to a court," he answered.
The Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project previously raised questions about Biden’s extensive use of autopen signatures. "We gathered every document we could find with Biden's signature over the course of his presidency. All used the same autopen signature except for the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year," they reported in a post on X.
On January 20, Biden announced pardons for several individuals, including General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, lawmakers, and police officers involved with the Jan. 6 Select Committee.
"These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions," Biden stated.