DOJ Could Prosecute Recipients of Biden's 'Autopen Pardons': Sen Ted Cruz

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has raised concerns over the validity of pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, suggesting that recipients could face prosecution if the Department of Justice determines the pardons were issued using an autopen without the President’s direct knowledge or consent. The remarks, made on Cruz’s podcast, Verdict with Ted Cruz, come amid an ongoing DOJ investigation into Biden’s use of the autopen for issuing pardons, particularly those granted to family members and political figures.

The investigation, initiated under President Donald Trump’s administration and led by pardon attorney Ed Martin, is probing whether Biden was mentally competent at the time the pardons were issued and if others exploited the autopen to issue them without his authorization. Trump has publicly declared Biden’s pardons “void,” citing the use of the autopen as grounds for their invalidity.

“I think it is entirely possible that we will see the Department of Justice prosecute someone who has received one of these autopen pardons. If they prosecute someone, it’s going to be someone for whom there is clear evidence of a federal criminal violation, but also it will be someone for whom there is evidence that Biden didn’t know about it.”, said Cruz

Cruz suggested that the same scrutiny could extend to legislation signed into law by Biden using an autopen, questioning the legitimacy of such bills if they lack direct Presidential authorization.

The DOJ has not yet released findings from its investigation. As the probe continues, Cruz’s comments have sparked debate over the boundaries of the use of auto-pen and Presidential authority and the potential consequences for those who received clemency under the Biden Administration.