Concerns Over Automatic Pardons Under Biden’s Administration
American politics can still be astonishing. A recent report, called the Surveillance Project, came out on Tuesday, highlighting the contentious use of the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden. This situation is somewhat rare, almost as uncommon as finding a blue lobster.
One major issue at hand is the practice of auto-pardoning. Since March, we have uncovered that the Biden administration has been employing an autopen to grant thousands of pardons and commutations instead of having Biden, himself, review them. Initially, the New York Times dismissed this revelation as a “conspiracy theory.” However, Biden later confirmed that he established a “broad category” for pardons, allowing his staff to select names for clemency.
It’s important to note that what’s happening is a significant legal issue. The Constitution grants pardon power solely to the president, making this delegation questionable. Evidence has surfaced indicating that high-ranking officials within the Department of Justice were aware of the potential illegality of this process.
Evidence of Misconduct?
Ed Martin, who leads the Department of Justice’s Weaponization Working Group, found an email from Associate Deputy Attorney General Bradley Weinsheimer dated January 18, 2025. This was just after Biden had announced a mass commutation for around 2,500 federal inmates.
Biden claimed in his statement that he had issued more pardons and commutations than any previous president and took pride in establishing a record of generosity. Yet, it turns out he hadn’t personally examined any individual case.
Weinsheimer expressed serious concerns in his email, stating that the requests for pardons lacked clarity regarding specific crimes. He noted that if these pardons didn’t comply with legal standards, they might not be valid. Moreover, he cautioned against labeling convicts merely as “non-violent drug offenders,” as that could misrepresent their actual offenses.
He was correct to be wary. The individuals on Biden’s list included not only minor offenders but also serious criminals, like those involved in violent acts against others. It paints a troubling picture of the decisions made under this autopen system.
Trump’s Response
Former President Trump has taken a strong stand against these auto-pardons and has initiated an investigation into the matter. Additionally, he’s expressed intentions to restore the full sentences of offenders who received these automatic clemencies. The complexities of the legal and ethical arguments seem quite clear-cut.
Why It Matters
The first coalition that emerged in Washington made two big promises: extensive deportation and genuine accountability. Ed Martin’s findings have peeled back the layers on the second issue. The longer the Biden administration delays taking action, the more it appears that its disregard for laws could continue unchallenged.
Biden seemingly misused his pardon powers without fulfilling the intended responsibilities. Now, Trump has a chance to demonstrate that it is the rule of law, not the autopen, that prevails in the United States.
