Here are Biden’s most controversial pardons, with most signed using AutoPen

The Justice Department is currently conducting a thorough review of the pardons granted by former President Joe Biden in his final days in office. There are growing concerns surrounding the use of an AutoPen to automatically sign documents, as well as questions about Biden’s mental acuity during his last months as president.

Biden made headlines by granting clemency and pardons to over 1,500 individuals, marking it as the largest single-day act of clemency by a U.S. president. However, critics have raised eyebrows over some of the pardons, particularly those issued to members of Biden’s family, inner circle, and allies.

One of the most controversial pardons granted by Biden was to his son, Hunter Biden. Hunter was found guilty of three felony firearm offenses and federal tax crimes related to not paying $1.4 million in taxes. Despite previously stating he would not intervene in Justice Department decisions, Biden issued a blanket pardon for Hunter covering offenses from 2014 to 2024.

Additionally, Biden granted preemptive pardons to several members of his family, including his brother James Biden and sister Valerie Biden Owens. These pardons covered any nonviolent offenses committed between 2014 and the date of the pardon. The Biden family had come under scrutiny during a congressional investigation into their business dealings, with allegations of leveraging Biden’s position as vice president for financial gain.

Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci were also recipients of Biden’s pardons. Milley, who oversaw the controversial Afghanistan withdrawal, accepted the pardon citing a desire to avoid retribution. Fauci, Biden’s chief medical advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic, claimed the pardon was necessary to protect him from politically motivated investigations.

Lastly, Biden used the AutoPen to sign a pardon for members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack. This pardon covered committee staff and police officers who testified before the committee.

The Justice Department’s review of these pardons will shed light on the legality and implications of Biden’s actions in his final days as president. Concerns surrounding the use of the AutoPen and Biden’s mental state during this period have raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the pardon process. As the investigation unfolds, the true impact of Biden’s pardons will come to light.