U.S. President Donald Trump has questioned the legitimacy of pardons issued by his successor, Joe Biden, alleging that they were signed using an autopen rather than by hand.
In a series of Truth Social posts early Monday, Trump asserted—without evidence—that Biden did not personally approve the clemency orders and, therefore, they are “void.”
Trump specifically targeted pardons granted to nine members of the House select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, as well as others who received clemency on Biden’s final full day in office.
“The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave… are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT,” Trump wrote.
He further claimed that Biden was unaware of the decisions, arguing that the necessary legal documents were not properly explained to him.
Under U.S. law, presidents have the authority to issue pardons for federal crimes, but not for state offenses.
Trump, who pardoned over 1,500 individuals connected to the Capitol riot earlier this year, suggested that members of the January 6 committee should expect scrutiny, despite no formal charges against them.
“Those on the Unselect Committee, who destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two-year Witch Hunt of me… should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level,” Trump declared, accusing Biden’s administration of improperly handling the clemency process.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump indicated that courts would ultimately decide the validity of Biden’s pardons.
He reiterated his unsubstantiated claim that Biden was unaware of the pardons, even mocking the president in a social media meme featuring an autopen signing documents in his place.
Trump’s remarks appear to be influenced by a recent report from the Oversight Project, a conservative watchdog linked to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
The group alleged that an autopen was used for nearly all of Biden’s executive orders, raising doubts about their legitimacy.
However, a Fox News review of Trump’s own administration found that many of his executive orders also bore identical signatures, suggesting a similar use of automated signing.
Trump’s statements could have legal and political implications, as they hint at a potential Justice Department review of Biden’s clemency decisions.
Among those granted pardons on Biden’s last day in office were retired infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney—figures Trump has frequently criticized.
Biden also pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, in December, calling his prosecution politically motivated.
Additionally, he posthumously pardoned Marcus Garvey, a key figure in the Black nationalist movement, and commuted sentences for nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offences.
Trump’s latest claims further escalate tensions as he continues to challenge Biden’s record while preparing for a potential rematch in the 2024 presidential election.