Former President Joe Biden's last-minute pardons, including those granted to his family members and death row inmates, are now under intense scrutiny from the Department of Justice.
According to The Western Journal, pardon attorney Ed Martin, who previously served as U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., has launched an investigation into Biden's late-term pardons.
The investigation focuses on whether Biden was mentally competent when the pardons were issued and if his signature was misused.
The controversial pardons extended to Hunter Biden, James Biden, Frank Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, and their spouses have raised significant concerns among justice officials. These pardons were particularly notable as they were granted preemptively, before any charges were filed against these family members.
Martin's investigation specifically targets these family-related pardons, along with 37 cases where Biden granted clemency to federal death row inmates. The probe seeks to determine whether these decisions truly originated from Biden himself.
The use of an autopen device, which creates exact replicas of presidential signatures, has become a central focus of the investigation. Reports suggest some Biden aides may have utilized this technology without proper authorization.
A recent book by Axios journalist Alex Thompson has shed new light on Biden's final months in office, revealing a complex power structure within the White House. Thompson's reporting suggests that key decisions were increasingly made by a small group of individuals he dubbed the "politburo."
This inner circle reportedly included First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and senior aides Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, and Bruce Reed. These unelected officials allegedly took on significant decision-making responsibilities as concerns about Biden's cognitive decline grew.
Thompson's revelations have sparked additional questions about the legitimacy of executive decisions made during this period. The journalist noted that some staffers justified their actions by viewing them as necessary measures against what they perceived as threats to democracy.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has announced plans to conduct transcribed interviews with key figures from Biden's administration. The committee's investigation targets Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician, and former White House officials including Neera Tanden and Anthony Bernal.
These interviews aim to explore the extent of Biden's mental decline and the potential unauthorized use of the autopen for pardons. The committee's work represents a significant escalation in congressional scrutiny of the former administration's final actions.
The investigation's scope includes examining communication records and decision-making processes within the White House during this period. This represents a broader effort to understand how executive powers were exercised during Biden's final months in office.
The Department of Justice's investigation into Biden's pardons marks a significant development in post-presidential scrutiny. Ed Martin's probe specifically examines the legitimacy of 37 death row clemencies and multiple family pardons signed during Biden's final weeks in office.
The investigation's outcomes could have far-reaching implications for future presidential pardons and executive decision-making processes. Questions about the use of autopen technology and presidential competency may lead to new protocols for authenticating executive actions.
As the Justice Department awaits responses to its inquiries, the investigation continues to examine whether Biden's mental state impacted his ability to make sound decisions regarding these pardons. The probe's findings could potentially influence how presidential powers are exercised and monitored in the future.
