President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is reviewing the list of people that were granted pardons by former President Joe Biden, amid new concerns about his use of an AutoPen to automatically sign documents, as well as concerns about his state of mind in his final months in office. The review is being led by DOJ Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, who is examining whether the pardons issued during Biden’s final weeks in office were appropriate. While the exact nature of the review has not been disclosed, reports suggest that the focus is on the preemptive pardons granted to Hunter Biden and the over 35 death row inmates who received life sentences during Biden’s final days in office.
Fox News was told that the review is part of an ongoing investigation into the validity and legality of these pardons. The DOJ has not yet responded to requests for comment from Fox News regarding the review or the nature of the pardons under examination. The review has raised questions about the transparency and procedural integrity of the pardons, particularly given the concerns about Biden’s use of the AutoPen and his mental health at the time of the pardons.
Fox News reported that the review includes the preemptive pardons granted to Hunter Biden and the more than 35 death row inmates whose sentences were changed to life in prison during Biden’s final days in office. This has sparked mixed reactions from Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the potential misuse of the pardon power. The Biden administration claimed that the pardons were part of a routine process and that they were granted based on the merits of each case. However, critics have pointed out that several individuals on the list were convicted of fraudulent activities that involved millions of dollars in taxpayer losses.
As this review continues, questions about the legality and fairness of the pardons remain unanswered. The Justice Department’s decision to review these pardons has brought renewed attention to the use of the pardon power and its implications for the justice system. Further developments are expected as the investigation continues.