Former President Joe Biden’s decision to issue over 1,500 pardons in his final weeks in office has sparked intense scrutiny, with the Justice Department reviewing the list amid allegations that Biden used an autopen to sign documents and concerns about his cognitive decline.
Biden, who served as president from 2021 to 2025, has been accused of using an autopen to sign documents, raising questions about the legality and authenticity of his actions. The Justice Department has expressed concerns about Biden’s mental state, with ongoing investigations into whether his use of an autopen concealed cognitive decline. Biden’s legal team has maintained that the former president remains fully capable of making decisions, but the allegations have drawn significant attention from both political and legal circles.
During his final weeks in office, Biden pardoned over 1,500 people, with only one pardon signed by hand. This single by-hand pardon was the most controversial, as it granted his son Hunter a blanket pardon for alleged crimes.
Hunter Biden was found guilty of three felony gun offenses during a special counsel investigation. He also faced charges of federal tax crimes for allegedly failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes. Before his trial, Hunter entered a guilty plea. Biden’s decision to issue a blanket pardon covering any offenses Hunter committed from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024, has drawn criticism, with legal experts questioning the fairness and transparency of such a move.
The Justice Department is also assessing whether Biden’s aides conspired to conceal his mental state, as Attorney General Pam Bondi investigates the potential misuse of presidential power.
Bondi, who was appointed by former President Trump, has been directed to examine whether Biden’s advisors intentionally misled the public about his cognitive abilities. Trump has argued that Biden’s use of an autopen was part of a broader conspiracy to assert authority while masking declining mental faculties. The Department of Justice has not yet confirmed the validity of these claims, but the investigation has intensified as both political and legal scrutiny continues.
Trump has directed Bondi to investigate whether Biden’s aides conspired to deceive the public about his mental state while using an autopen to sign documents.
In a recent memo, Trump criticized Biden’s aides for allowing the former president to appear capable while concealing his cognitive decline. He argued that the use of an autopen was part of a broader effort to misrepresent the president’s ability to fulfill his duties. Trump’s criticisms have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the investigation, with some arguing that it may be an attempt to undermine Biden’s legacy.
Legal experts have emphasized the importance of transparency in presidential actions, particularly regarding the use of an autopen. The controversy has sparked debates about the limits of executive power and the responsibilities of former presidents in maintaining public trust. The Justice Department’s investigation is expected to provide clarity on whether Biden’s actions were within legal bounds or if they represent a significant breach of ethical standards.