Summary
President Biden's administration faced criticism from officials over the way pardons were handled, particularly the use of an autopen to sign pardons and commutations. Most of these actions took place in the last months of his presidency and led to concerns, especially about pardoning family members. The situation is under investigation by the House Oversight Committee.
Key Facts
- High-ranking officials in Biden's administration questioned the use of autopen for signing pardons.
- Most pardons and commutations were issued during the last 3½ months of Biden's presidency.
- Biden pardoned 4,245 people, the most by any U.S. president.
- Many pardons, including for Biden's family, were signed using an autopen.
- An autopen is a machine that reproduces a person's signature.
- The House Oversight Committee is investigating these actions.
- There were complaints from Justice Department officials about the clemency process.
- Biden issued a record 2,490 commutations in one day for nonviolent drug offenses.
