Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How Bulletproof Are Joe Biden’s Pardons?
American Thinker ^ | 21 Jun, 2026 | John Green

Posted on 06/21/2026 6:35:21 AM PDT by MtnClimber

Autopen pardons can’t possibly be constitutional. Why not test the theory on a few high-profile malefactors?

Near the end of Joe Biden’s incompetence, corruption, and dementia extravaganza, thousands of pardons were issued — many for unstated crimes. Most weren’t done with a pen in a human hand, as our founders intended. The were done with an autopen — a machine that can imitate a human signature. Given Joey “SoftServe’s” mental state, there’s ample reason to question whether the machine-signed pardons were a valid reflection of the president’s will, such as it was.

On December 2, 2025, after the magnitude of the autopen signing frenzy became apparent, President Trump declared Biden’s autopen orders invalid — not because Biden lacked the authority to issue them, but because there was no evidence that he even ordered them — no audio recordings, no decision logs, no witness affidavits. All of those pardons may have actually been issued by faceless bureaucrats, whose only power was access to the machine which could hold a pen and imitate Joe Biden’s illegible scrawl.

The Hunter Biden pardon reinforces that theory. It was different from Joe’s other pardons because it was signed by the actual hand of the president — a strong indication that it actually represented the will of the Article II chief executive. Apparently, Joe cared more about the pardon of his son than the thousands of others issued by his office. Is that because he didn’t even know about many of the others?

So what changed after President Trump declared his predecessor’s pardons null and void? Nothing. None of the monsters released by Biden has been re-arrested. None of the Biden cronies who escaped justice has shown contrition, nor begged for forgiveness. It’s as if Trump’s order means nothing, because the matter hasn’t been adjudicated

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: corruption
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-64 next last
To: MtnClimber

bttt


41 posted on 06/21/2026 8:18:53 AM PDT by thinden (Buckle Up!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple

I would expand the second to: - Pardon without a criminal scope. So it may be acceptable to issue a pardon preemptively for a criminal act that has not yet come to trial, but a blanket pardon for any act, anytime prior to the pardon strikes me as being beyond the pale.

The constitutional limits of the presidential pardon need to be defined through a Supreme Court challenge.


42 posted on 06/21/2026 8:36:04 AM PDT by omni-scientist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Jim Noble

Presidential pardons are pretty ironclad, as you say. But the author of this piece makes the case that Biden didn’t even issue most of them — which obviously opens a huge can of worms.


43 posted on 06/21/2026 8:44:45 AM PDT by Alberta's Child (If I leave here, it’s because I’m tired of arguing with geriatric parrots wearing MAGA hats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple

Pardon without conviction is not an issue at all...we’ve done it forever...I think Eisenhower pardoned a general before he was ever charged.


44 posted on 06/21/2026 8:55:42 AM PDT by for-q-clinton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: unread

Scotus dismissed trumps doj case against the autopen pardons, and scotus let Nixon’s pardon fly uncontested.

Pretty much those pardons arent going to be touched. Which gives presedent when the left goes after Trump for the same thing(probably wont mean much but something is better then nothing.)


45 posted on 06/21/2026 9:06:26 AM PDT by SPDSHDW (A sinner saved by Jesus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

Biden said he intended to pardon them. Cannot prove otherwise. Its why scotus dropped trumps challenge.


46 posted on 06/21/2026 9:09:32 AM PDT by SPDSHDW (A sinner saved by Jesus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple
2) pardon without a conviction

Not sure a conviction is necessary for a pardon. Article II, § 2 of the Constitution gives the POTUS the "Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

A plain reading of this provision requires an offense -- a crime -- against the United States, but not necessarily a conviction or even a formal charge or indictment. In my opinion, however, the pardon at the very least should identify the underlying offense or the facts upon which the offense is based, i.e., all federal offenses that were committed or charged or could have been charged, for conduct in or about the United States Capital on January 6, 2021.

47 posted on 06/21/2026 9:12:20 AM PDT by Labyrinthos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

Test the FAUCI one!!!


48 posted on 06/21/2026 9:31:05 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion.....the HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

With Tulsi Gabbard’s new release of info, he should be hauled in front of Congress (both houses) and forced to testify. He will either perjure himself or plead the 5th which will open him up to criminal and civil penalties.


49 posted on 06/21/2026 9:42:20 AM PDT by HYPOCRACY (There is no gravity. The earth just sucks. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HYPOCRACY

If you’re talking about bringing Joe into testify he won’t even remember his name! It would be spun and it will look like on TV as beating up an old man.


50 posted on 06/21/2026 9:47:05 AM PDT by Reily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

It should be obvious that s!!t for brains did not do many of the things attributed to him. Figure head is too kind a word for him.


51 posted on 06/21/2026 9:56:39 AM PDT by Mouton (There is a new sheriff and deputy in town now! )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

If nobody pursues it, it completely does not matter; it’s just a bunch of RW feelgood jaw jackin’

NEXT...!


52 posted on 06/21/2026 9:58:41 AM PDT by HKMk23 (https://youtu.be/LTseTg48568)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cableguymn

From the Criminal Law Library blog:

The Supreme Court’s decision in Ex Parte Garland (1866) is central to understanding the scope of this power. In this case, the Court unequivocally stated:

“The power of pardon conferred by the Constitution upon the President is unlimited except in cases of impeachment. It extends to every offence known to the law, and may be exercised at any time after its commission, either before legal proceedings are taken or during their pendency, or after conviction and judgment.”

This decision established that the presidential pardon power is expansive and is not confined to specific stages of the legal process. The Court also described the power as “plenary,” meaning it is comprehensive and immune from legislative restrictions. Despite its breadth, the power is not absolute. It applies only to federal offenses, leaving state prosecutions beyond the president’s reach. Additionally, the pardon power does not shield individuals from impeachment proceedings, reinforcing the accountability mechanisms within the constitutional framework.


53 posted on 06/21/2026 10:00:47 AM PDT by Miami Rebel (RE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Miami Rebel

I wonder if Fauci paid money for that pardon. If it’s ever shown that he paid for it, I wonder if it could be “revoked” or something.


54 posted on 06/21/2026 10:17:23 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Miami Rebel

I think the argument that Biden may not know which pardons were issued because the autopen is used is Trump’s strongest argument against autopens. The phrase “being of sound mind and body” is used a lot in wills so I see why this requirement could be useful in Trump’s arguments. The problem with this approach is Biden will refuse to release medical records or subject himself to medical exams to test his mental fitness. It is important for Robert Hur’s recorded interview with Joe Biden be released. That is potential evidence of Biden’s mind before he issued his latter pardons.


55 posted on 06/21/2026 10:54:52 AM PDT by convoter2016 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber
Fauci is going to the test case for the pardons.
56 posted on 06/21/2026 10:57:26 AM PDT by rdcbn1 (..when poets buy guns, tourist season is over................Walter R. Mead)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rdcbn1

does Fauci currently have protection paid for by some govt ?

if not I am surprised that has not gone all Mangione on him.

I can admit If I were on that jury I might have a hard time voting to convict.


57 posted on 06/21/2026 12:09:40 PM PDT by algore ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

Lawyers inside the DOJ have assured Republican leaders that there is nothing more authentic than an autopen signature. Republicans were satisfied and some planned a celebration.


58 posted on 06/21/2026 12:41:24 PM PDT by Old Man From WV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Reily

No. Fauci. They can contest the pardon but in the meantime hammer him post pardon.


59 posted on 06/21/2026 12:59:11 PM PDT by HYPOCRACY (There is no gravity. The earth just sucks. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: HYPOCRACY

That i agree with!


60 posted on 06/21/2026 1:00:50 PM PDT by Reily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-64 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson