A criminal investigation into whether former President Biden and his staff improperly used an autopen machine to sign official pardons has been quietly closed by the Justice Department. The probe, initiated following allegations and a direct order from a previous administration, ultimately stalled due to a lack of viable legal grounds for prosecution.
The investigation began last June, fueled by claims that the Biden administration may have utilized the autopen to mask potential cognitive decline. A memo directed the Attorney General and White House counsel to investigate what was characterized as a “conspiracy” involving the manipulation of presidential signatures.
Initial inquiries were prompted by the discovery of thousands of clemency actions and executive orders bearing what appeared to be autopen signatures, rather than handwritten ones. This raised questions about the authenticity and proper authorization of these crucial presidential acts.
Investigators soon identified not one, but multiple distinct autopen signatures attributed to President Biden. Dubbed “Autopen A” and “Autopen B,” these signatures exhibited subtle differences, further complicating the investigation and suggesting a more widespread practice than initially suspected.
The scrutiny expanded beyond pardons to include presidential proclamations, with a third autopen signature identified in use from the very beginning of the Biden presidency. This discovery indicated a consistent and potentially systematic reliance on the automated signing device.
Despite a thorough review, prosecutors ultimately determined they could not establish a criminal offense. The case was closed, marking the latest instance of the Justice Department being unable to substantiate demands for criminal charges stemming from a previous administration’s concerns.
The initial findings regarding the unusual number of autopen signatures were brought to light by independent researchers who meticulously examined official records. Their work sparked the initial wave of scrutiny and ultimately led to the formal investigation.
The investigation’s conclusion doesn’t necessarily address the underlying questions about the use of autopens for official presidential documents, but it does signal the end of a criminal inquiry into the matter. The focus now shifts to understanding the full extent of the practice and its implications.
