In a shocking move, the Justice Department under Donald Trump is investigating the pardons granted by President Joe Biden before leaving office. A senior official revealed via email that this scrutiny involves claims that Biden may not have been fully aware of his clemency actions due to potential misuse of an autopen device. “We must ensure Biden was competent and not taken advantage of,” the advice asserted.
This investigation comes amid ongoing partisan tensions regarding presidential pardons, with Trump’s administration previously facing its own controversies surrounding clemency decisions.
“Our primary concern is whether Biden was competent in issuing these pardons and if he was manipulated in the process,” stated Ed Martin, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.
The reaction to this investigation has been swift, with many public figures expressing concerns over the politicization of the Justice Department. Republican leaders see it as an essential step for transparency, while critics label it as yet another witch hunt against Biden.