Documents Show Biden Shifted Pardons Approval To Harris, Sparking Investigation

Documents reveal that early in President Joe Biden's administration, senior staff recommended he personally hand-sign presidential clemency actions rather than use an autopen, following precedent from former President Barack Obama. However, near the end of his term, Biden departed from this guidance, with evidence indicating autopen signatures were used on mass pardon documents, including those for inmates convicted of crack cocaine offenses. Internal emails show key aides acted as gatekeepers for autopen use and sought confirmation that Biden had approved specific clemency documents, raising questions about his direct involvement. An investigation initiated by President Donald Trump highlighted that during the final months of Biden's presidency, several clemency meetings reportedly occurred without any record confirming Biden's presence or verbal approval, including discussions on pardons for family members and commutations for death row inmates. The National Archives confirmed the absence of finalized memos or notes verifying Biden's direct control over these clemency decisions, further complicating the narrative of his involvement. Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris and her counsel reportedly became involved in reviewing clemency petitions, which introduced delays and added complexity to the approval process.