Trump Declares Biden’s Pardons “Void” Over Autopen Controversy in Fiery Truth Social Post

Washington, D.C. – In a late-night post on his Truth Social platform at 10:35 PM EST on March 16, 2025, President Donald Trump unleashed a scathing attack on pardons issued by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, asserting they are invalid due to their alleged authorization via autopen rather than Biden’s personal signature. The provocative statement, which quickly garnered attention across social and traditional media, marks the latest escalation in Trump’s ongoing feud with Biden and his administration’s legacy.

In the post, Trump claimed that the pardons, which he attributed to benefiting the “Unselect Committee of Political Thugs” and others, are “hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT.” He argued that the use of an autopen—a mechanical device that replicates a signature—rendered the pardons illegitimate, asserting that Biden “did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them!” Trump further alleged that the “necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden,” suggesting a lack of presidential awareness or consent in the process.

The “Unselect Committee” appears to be a reference to the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—an inquiry Trump has repeatedly denounced as a “Witch Hunt” targeting him and his supporters. Before leaving office on January 20, 2025, Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons to prominent figures, including members of this committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and retired General Mark Milley, as well as several of his own family members. These actions were framed by Biden as a shield against potential politically motivated prosecutions under Trump’s incoming administration.

Trump’s post went further, hinting at potential legal repercussions for those involved in the pardoning process. “He knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime,” he wrote, suggesting that aides or officials who facilitated the autopen signatures could face scrutiny. He also took aim at the January 6 committee, accusing its members of having “destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two year Witch Hunt of me, and many other innocent people,” and warning that they “should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level.”

The post concluded with a characteristic jab at Biden, whom Trump labeled “the Worst President in the History of our Country, Crooked Joe Biden,” while alleging that committee members were “probably responsible” for the documents signed without Biden’s knowledge or consent.

Legal experts have noted that the use of an autopen by presidents is not a new practice, having been employed for decades to sign legislation, executive orders, and other documents when a president is unavailable. While its validity for such actions has generally been upheld, the specific application to pardons—an exercise of the president’s constitutional clemency power—remains largely untested in courts, potentially leaving room for debate. Trump’s declaration, however, carries no immediate legal weight, as only judicial or congressional action could formally challenge the pardons’ legitimacy.

As of late Sunday night, no official response had been issued by Biden or his former administration officials regarding Trump’s claims. The controversy is likely to fuel further partisan debate as Trump’s administration continues to assert its agenda in the early weeks of his second term. 17GEN4.com