The controversy surrounding Joe Biden’s pardons has taken a dramatic turn as President Donald Trump declared them “void” in a recent Truth Social post. Trump alleged that Biden did not personally approve the pardons, instead relying on an autopen without full awareness of the documents he was signing. How might this controversy affect public perception of Biden’s cognitive abilities?
Trump’s Bold Declaration and Strategic Approach
President Donald Trump has thrust himself into the center of a governance controversy by declaring President Biden’s pardons “void” in a strongly worded post on Truth Social. Trump specifically targeted pardons given to members of the January 6th Committee and others, claiming that Biden utilized an autopen signature without understanding or approving the documents he was authorizing.
In his statement, Trump wrote, “The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT.” The president further alleged potential criminal activity, stating, “The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden. He knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime.”
HOLY SHT 🔥
Trump deems Auto pen pardons are null and void …. that means justice will in fact be served
The J6 Committee must face justice for destroying doc's that would've exonerated the J6ers
Raise your hand ✋️ if this is exactly what you voted for on November 5th.. pic.twitter.com/bDX2O8DtxQ
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) March 17, 2025
Media Response and Political Implications
The Biden administration has remained notably silent on these accusations, with no response yet from the White House social media team addressing the autopen claims. This silence has allowed the controversy to grow, with mainstream media outlets increasingly covering the story after initial reluctance, including reports from NBC News, Axios, and Bloomberg.
Political analysts suggest Trump’s focus on pardons rather than executive orders or nominations represents a strategic choice designed to maximize political damage. By highlighting pardons specifically, Trump forces Democrats to publicly defend potentially controversial clemency decisions while keeping questions about Biden’s cognitive abilities in the spotlight.
🚨 TRUMP: "It looked like we had an auto pen for a president […] That's a big subject. I'm sure you won't ask about that.
"Did he know what he was doing? Did he authorize it? Or is there somebody in an office, maybe a radical left lunatic, just signing whatever that person… pic.twitter.com/UUDBt6aiSh
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 17, 2025
Legal Questions and Historical Context
The use of autopens in presidential actions is not without precedent, having been employed by previous administrations for various signing purposes. However, the current controversy takes on added significance in the context of persistent questions about President Biden’s mental faculties and decision-making capabilities.
While the Trump team suggests they possess evidence to support their claims about the autopen usage, legal experts remain divided on whether pardons could be invalidated on these grounds. The primary goal may not be legal victory but rather keeping public attention focused on concerns about transparency and accountability within the Biden administration.
This developing situation highlights fundamental questions about the integrity of presidential powers and the ethical boundaries of automated processes in governance. As both political sides dig in, the controversy underscores the increasingly contentious nature of American politics and the ongoing battle for public trust in governmental institutions.