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Ex-presidents

Biden's Chief of Staff Approved Use of Autopen for High-Profile Pardons

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a recent report, former President Joe Biden's chief of staff, Jeff Zients, gave final approval for the use of an autopen to sign high-profile pardons on Biden's final day in office. The autopen issue has been a point of contention, with President Donald Trump claiming that Biden did not know what documents he was signing through the automated device. Emails obtained by The New York Times show that Zients approved the use of the autopen for the execution of all pardons, including those for former chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.

Key Takeaways:

  • Biden's chief of staff, Jeff Zients, gave final approval for the use of an autopen to sign high-profile pardons on Biden's final day in office.
  • The autopen was used to sign pardons for former chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.
  • Biden did not personally approve each name included in the broad, categorical pardons, but instead signed off on the standards to be used to determine which convicts would qualify for a reduction in sentence.
  • The report has sparked controversy, with Trump accusing Biden of using an autopen to conceal his cognitive decline and assert Article II authority.
  • The Biden administration has denied any wrongdoing, accusing Trump of conducting a cover-up scheme.

Statistics:

  • 4,245 acts of clemency were granted by Biden during his administration, 96% of which were granted during his final months in office between October 2024 and January.
  • The autopen was used to sign thousands of documents, including pardons and other important clemency documents.

Sources:

  • "Biden’s Use of Autopen Was Finalized by Chief of Staff, Exactly as He Claimed", The New York Times.
  • "Trump Shines Light on Biden's 'Autopen' Scandal", Fox News Digital.
  • "Pew Research Center: Biden's Clemency by the Numbers", Pew Research Center.
  • "Trump Asks AG to Probe Biden's Use of Autopen in 'Conspiracy' to Conceal Cognitive Decline", Fox News Digital.

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