Democratic leader Joe Biden’s waning days in the White House have come under sharp scrutiny as President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) opens an unprecedented investigation into his use of an autopen to sign controversial pardons. The explosive inquiry could reshape public perceptions of Biden’s competence during his final months in office.

According to the Daily Mail, the investigation will examine whether Biden, 82, was mentally fit when signing last-minute clemency orders, including pardons for family members and death row inmates. Trump’s ultra-MAGA pardon attorney Ed Martin revealed in an email obtained by Reuters that the probe aims to determine “whether others were taking advantage of [Biden] through use of autopen or other means.”

The autopen, a mechanical device used to replicate signatures, has triggered heated debates about the legitimacy of Biden’s actions. Critics argue that its use reflects Biden’s declining cognitive state, while supporters dismiss the inquiry as a politically motivated strategy to undermine the Democratic leader.

Hunter Biden’s troubling clemency case

A key focus of the investigation is the December pardon of Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son, who was convicted of tax violations and firearms-related charges last year. Facing up to 25 years in prison, Hunter’s pardon eliminated the need for a scheduled court sentencing. The clemency extended to other Biden family members, including siblings James Biden, Frank Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens, as well as their spouses.

Martin’s email highlighted concerns that Biden’s use of the autopen could call into question the validity of these pardons. Trump supporters have long criticized Hunter Biden’s influence during his father’s presidency, with CNN’s Jake Tapper describing him as “prone to horrible decisions” and effectively acting as a “chief of staff” in Biden’s inner circle. Questions also remain about whether Biden issued these pardons under undue influence from his family.

Despite these allegations, no concrete evidence has emerged to suggest Biden did not intend to grant clemency. A 2005 DOJ memo even legitimized the use of autopen signatures for official presidential actions. Nevertheless, the investigation amplifies existing concerns about Biden’s health and decision-making capacity, especially following his recent cancer diagnosis.

Trump’s reaction to Biden’s pardons

President Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Biden’s last-minute pardons, declaring them “void, vacant, and of no further force or effect” in March. Trump has also warned members of the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots that they could face prosecution under his administration.

The Biden pardons spared 37 federal inmates from the death penalty, converting their sentences to life in prison. Trump, who has wielded the pardon power broadly during his own presidency, argues that Biden’s use of the autopen undermines the authority of the clemency orders. “If you use the autopen for pardon power, I don’t think that’s necessarily a problem,” Martin said at a May press conference, “but it warrants scrutiny.”

The Oversight Project, a watchdog group, claims to have reviewed numerous documents signed by Biden during his presidency, finding identical autopen signatures across dozens of federal orders. They now demand clarity on who controlled the device and what safeguards were in place to ensure Biden’s intentions were accurately reflected.

Political implications and backlash

The investigation has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, who accuse Trump’s DOJ of weaponizing government resources to attack a political rival. They argue that the probe is a thinly veiled attempt to distract from Trump’s own controversies and legal battles. Biden’s allies insist he was fully capable of making critical decisions during his final days in office, despite speculation about his mental acuity.

Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters view the inquiry as a necessary step to hold Biden accountable for what they see as unethical and potentially unconstitutional actions. The controversy underscores the political divide over the use of executive clemency, with critics of Biden citing his pardons as evidence of systemic corruption within his administration.

The investigation also raises broader questions about the role of the autopen in modern presidencies. While the device has been used for decades, the debate over its legitimacy has intensified amid growing concerns about the physical and cognitive health of aging leaders. Biden, who dropped his reelection bid last year, was the oldest person to serve as U.S. president. Trump, at 78, is the second oldest.

Investigation targets Biden’s legacy

Joe Biden’s final days in office are now under a microscope, with Trump’s DOJ investigating whether his use of the autopen compromised the validity of his actions. The pardons granted to Hunter Biden and other family members have become a lightning rod for criticism, with questions swirling about Biden’s mental fitness and the influence of his inner circle.

The inquiry, led by pardon attorney Ed Martin, also examines whether Biden’s clemency orders were manipulated by those around him. The controversy has reignited debates over presidential authority, the legitimacy of autopen signatures, and the broader implications of executive clemency.

As the investigation unfolds, its findings could have significant political and legal ramifications for Biden, Trump, and the future use of autopen technology in U.S. governance. The case highlights the contentious nature of American politics in a deeply polarized era, with both sides bracing for the fallout from this high-stakes inquiry.