Biden DOJ Warned Against Legally Flawed Autopen Pardons

Newly released emails reveal that Joe Biden’s own Justice Department flagged thousands of last-minute autopen pardons as legally flawed, raising concerns about their validity and Biden’s direct involvement. The autopen scandal emerged after it was discovered that thousands of pardons and commutations were signed using an autopen rather than Biden’s wet signature. Two distinct autopen signatures, labeled Autopen A and Autopen B, were frequently used, despite Biden not approving each pardon individually. The emails, reviewed by The Washington Times, show that Biden’s staff made decisions to sign pardons without his direct authorization. In some cases, revised lists of inmates were processed through the autopen without Biden’s approval. The DOJ warned that these pardons, including those for violent offenders like cop killers and child murderers, were not in line with Biden’s intentions and lacked the necessary specificity, potentially rendering them ineffective. Associate Deputy Attorney General Bradley Weinsheimer criticized the pardons, calling the language “highly problematic” and warning that the vague wording could result in unintended commutations for violent crimes. Additionally, the Justice Department was blocked from vetting the candidates, and pardons were granted despite objections from victims’ families. The revelations underscore concerns about the legality and oversight of Biden’s pardons, highlighting a potential breakdown in accountability during his administration.

Published: 8/20/2025