Comer Questions Legitimacy of Biden Pardons
Representative James Comer from Kentucky suggested on Tuesday that any pardon issued by former President Joe Biden should be considered “null and void.” Speaking to Laura Ingraham of Fox News, Comer pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in the pardons, particularly emphasizing a lack of evidence of Biden’s direct involvement.
“Each individual we discuss has their own narrative regarding the proper procedures for signing a legal document with an autopen,” Comer stated on “The Ingraham Angle.” He noted the discrepancies in their accounts, pointing to a communication from the Justice Department which raised concerns about the autopen’s usage, suggesting that the story changes based on the questions asked.
These statements followed the release of a detailed report by the Republican majority of the House Oversight Committee. The 100-page document focused on ongoing investigations into the Biden administration, particularly whether his advisors attempted to obscure indications of Biden’s cognitive decline and whether this cover-up extended to executive actions signed without his full awareness.
Comer remarked that the report indicated White House aides had hidden details about Biden’s eligibility and the processes involved with the pardons, which he characterized as chaotic.
The committee now recommends that the Justice Department “immediately review all executive actions” taken by Biden, especially his pardons.
“What stands out is that no one seems to have personally witnessed Biden authorize the AutoPen for signing, nor has anyone who operated it reported direct communication from him. Furthermore, there are no records that imply Biden attended any discussions regarding the pardon process,” Comer detailed.
“This situation is troubling. Many observers noted a decline in the president’s condition, and aides admitted that there were extended periods without direct contact with him,” he continued. “We believe there is a significant cover-up, warranting that any pardons must be deemed invalid.”
Biden’s press secretary responded to the investigation’s claims, labeling them as unfounded.
A ruling from the Justice Department back in 2005, initiated under former President George W. Bush, confirmed that presidents could stamp their signatures on documents using autopens. This practice was reportedly first implemented by former President Barack Obama.
While Biden has firmly denied that anyone acted with presidential authority during his term, he recently addressed concerns regarding his mental acuity in response to the Trump administration’s scrutiny over autopen usage, stating, “I was the one making decisions as president, including those on pardons and executive orders. Any claim to the contrary is outright false.” He also criticized the inquiries as a distraction from the more pressing legislative issues facing the country.
