DOJ Launches Investigation into Alleged Misuse of Autopen for Presidential Pardons
The Department of Justice is actively investigating the use of an autopen to issue presidential pardons during the final days of the previous administration. Ed Martin, the newly appointed pardon attorney and head of the DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group, confirmed that the inquiry has been underway for several weeks and was initiated during his time as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.Martin shared that his office has received information from a whistleblower and that multiple individuals have sought legal representation in connection with the investigation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the pardon process and ensuring transparency for the public.
“I had a whistleblower in my office 10 days ago—someone with close ties to national Democratic leadership—who claimed that access to the autopen process was tightly controlled and potentially used for personal gain,” Martin said during an interview on the program 2WAY Tonight. “We’re looking into it carefully and taking the allegations seriously.”
Key Individuals Under Review
According to Martin, several former senior White House officials have been identified as individuals who may have had direct involvement in the pardon process. These include:
Ron Klain, former White House Chief of Staff
Anita Dunn, senior advisor to President Biden
Robert Bauer, former counsel to President Barack Obama
Steve Ricchetti, campaign chairman and former presidential counselor
First Lady Jill Biden
Martin clarified that the investigation is focused on procedural integrity and does not assume wrongdoing by any individuals until the facts are fully examined.
Concerns About Presidential Signatures
Questions about the autopen’s use arose after reports surfaced indicating that presidential signatures appeared on official documents while the president was traveling or reportedly not directly involved in decision-making. Some former staffers have also alleged that aides may have signed documents independently, which has sparked further scrutiny.
There is additional interest in the timeline of certain executive actions and legislative approvals, as well as the process behind their authorization.
Congressional Oversight
Separately, members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee have requested interviews with key medical and administrative personnel from the previous administration. Their aim is to understand how decisions were made and whether any delegation of authority occurred without formal documentation.
Committee Chairman James Comer noted the importance of ensuring accountability in all branches of government and mentioned that proposed legislation may be introduced to improve oversight regarding presidential fitness and document authorization.
Looking Ahead
As the DOJ continues its investigation, officials have emphasized that the goal is to safeguard the rule of law and maintain public trust in government processes. While the investigation is still in early stages, it is expected to bring greater clarity to how high-level executive decisions were managed and whether appropriate safeguards were followed.
