The U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into a series of pardons issued by former President Joe Biden during his final days in office, including clemency granted to members of his family and federal death row inmates.
According to an internal email obtained by Reuters, Ed Martin, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney, confirmed he has been asked to review whether these pardons were lawfully and appropriately granted. One area of focus is whether President Biden personally approved the pardons or if others acted on his behalf—possibly using a device known as an autopen, which can reproduce a person’s signature.
The investigation includes Biden’s pardons of five family members—his siblings James, Frank, and Valerie Biden Owens, along with their spouses—and his son Hunter Biden, who had previously pleaded guilty to tax violations and faced firearms-related charges.
Martin stated that the review aims to ensure the integrity of the clemency process. He noted that a whistleblower—described as a “senior Democrat” connected to the 2020 Biden campaign—alleged that a small group of aides had significant control over the clemency process. The whistleblower claimed that these individuals may have benefited personally.
Those named as key figures in the process include:
- Ron Klain, former White House Chief of Staff
- Anita Dunn, former senior advisor
- Robert Bauer, legal advisor and former Obama attorney
- Steve Ricchetti, campaign chair and Biden counselor
- First Lady Jill Biden
Martin emphasized that these claims are still under investigation and that no conclusions have been drawn. The probe will also examine the use of the autopen, especially whether it was used to sign executive orders or pardons without Biden’s direct knowledge.
Separately, the nonprofit group Power the Future raised questions about whether several major energy policy orders signed under Biden’s name were issued without public explanation or involvement by the president himself.
These developments have prompted a broader discussion around presidential authority, transparency, and the potential need to reevaluate how executive actions are reviewed and recorded in a president’s final days.
