Summary
President Donald Trump announced that he revoked all pardons and commutations that former President Joe Biden signed using an automated signature machine called an autopen. Legal experts state that President Trump does not have the authority to nullify these pardons, as they remain legally valid. Biden's use of the autopen was controversial, but there is no confirmation of which pardons were signed this way.
Key Facts
- President Trump claimed he voided pardons and commutations signed with an autopen by Biden.
- An autopen is a device that allows for automated signatures without hand use.
- Biden granted a record number of 4,245 acts of clemency, mostly commutations.
- He also issued 80 individual pardons, which is relatively low.
- Experts state Trump cannot legally overturn pardons or commutations.
- A judicial ruling in 1869 stated that once a pardon is delivered, it is final.
- Trump's action may only affect executive orders, not pardons.
