In a stunning announcement made on Truth Social and later reinforced in public statements, former President Donald Trump declared that he is rescinding a series of high-profile pardons issued at the end of Joe Biden’s presidency. These pardons, Trump claims, are illegitimate and include controversial figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), General Mark Milley, and even members of President Biden’s own family.
Trump argued that Biden lacked the mental clarity to authorize the pardons and suggested they were signed by an autopen rather than the president himself. This, Trump says, invalidates the legal standing of the documents.
The core of Trump’s challenge lies in the use of an autopen — a mechanical device that mimics a person’s signature. He pointed out that many of Biden’s presidential documents appeared to have been signed this way, raising doubts about their authenticity. According to Trump, reports also indicate that Biden may not have even been aware the pardons were issued.
In a message posted early Monday, March 17, Trump wrote:
“The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden granted to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, due to the fact that they were executed by Autopen.”
Trump didn’t stop there. He emphasized that Biden not only failed to sign the documents himself but also had no knowledge of who was being pardoned. “The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden,” Trump stated. “He knew nothing about them, and the individuals who did may have committed a crime.”
The former president took the opportunity to once again denounce the January 6 Committee — which he refers to as the “Unselect Committee” — accusing its members of destroying critical evidence during their investigation. He vowed to pursue accountability through high-level inquiries.
“Those on the Unselect Committee, who destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two-year Witch Hunt against me and many other innocent individuals, should fully comprehend that they are subject to investigation at the highest level,” he warned.
In closing, Trump reiterated his assertion that the pardons were both unauthorized and potentially criminal. “They were likely responsible for the Documents that were signed on their behalf without the knowledge or consent of the Worst President in the History of our Country, Crooked Joe Biden!”
During a recorded interview with CSPAN, Trump maintained that Biden was likely unaware of the pardons, which should call their validity into question. “It’s not my decision. That would be up to a court, but I would argue that they’re null and void because I’m certain Biden had no knowledge that it was occurring.”
Commentary from political commentator Collin Rugg on X (formerly Twitter) echoed these points, highlighting that the rescinded pardons span a wide range of individuals — including Biden’s family members, Dr. Fauci, General Milley, and key players from the January 6 Committee.
