Speaker Mike Johnson claims Biden’s pardons are ‘invalid’ following autopen findings

House Speaker Questions Biden’s Pardons

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) expressed skepticism about the pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, particularly following a notable report from the House Oversight Committee.

“It seems like a plot from a terrible novel, but unfortunately, this is real life,” Johnson remarked. He referenced claims from House Republicans suggesting that Biden’s inner circle may have been involved in obscuring signs of his mental decline.

He continued, “In those pardons, he cleared a group of violent offenders and let them back on the streets without even understanding who they were or what categories they fell into.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also described the pardons as “ineffective on its face.”

“You know, I used to handle constitutional litigation, and I’d jump at the chance to take this case,” he added.

The committee, led by a Republican majority, released a detailed 100-page report about its investigation into the Biden administration. It examined whether aides were hiding indications of Biden’s declining mental state and if this misinformation influenced executive actions that were signed using an autopen, often without Biden’s complete awareness.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) raised concerns about whether Biden really signed all the executive orders that involved an autopen, especially the numerous clemency orders issued during his term.

Comer stated that these auto-authorized actions should be seen as “null and void,” urging the Department of Justice to reconsider the matter.

When asked at a press conference whether there are legal avenues to invalidate Biden’s actions completed with the autopen, Johnson suggested such options might exist, especially regarding the pardons.

“We cannot let the president be overshadowed and permit faceless, unelected officials to dictate major decisions for our nation,” Johnson explained.

However, Biden’s press secretary countered the committee’s findings in a statement, asserting, “This investigation into unfounded claims supports what has been evident all along: President Biden made his own decision. There was no conspiracy, no cover-up, and no misconduct. Republicans should shift their focus from political retaliation to resolving the government shutdown.”