Trump Admin Launches Investigation Into Biden’s Mental Competency During Final Presidential Acts as Bill Clinton Claims He ‘Thought’ Ex-Prez ‘was in Good Shape’ Amid Political Firestorm, Dem Party Crash out
President Trump’s administration has initiated an investigation into whether Joe Biden possessed the mental competency to issue pardons during his final days in office, focusing specifically on his use of an autopen device for signing clemency documents.
Ed Martin, Trump’s pardon attorney, announced that the Justice Department has been directed to examine clemency decisions granted by Biden in the waning moments of his presidency.
The investigation includes the December pardon of Hunter Biden, the president’s son who faced federal charges.
Martin revealed the unprecedented probe through a Monday email to staffers that Reuters obtained.
The investigation centers on determining whether Biden “was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of AutoPen or other means.”
The news comes as claims made in “Original Sin” by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson allege Biden’s cognitive deterioration became so severe that family members and close aides formed what the authors describe as a “politburo” to manage presidential duties.
Some Democrats have turned on Biden following the explosive allegations in the book, while others like former President Bill Clinton have defended the former president’s cognitive abilities.
“I had never seen him and walked away thinking, he can’t do this anymore,” Clinton told CBS correspondent Tracy Smith during Sunday’s broadcast.
“I thought he was in good shape,” he shockingly added.
An autopen represents a mechanical device designed to automatically reproduce signatures on official documents.
Presidents and lawmakers have utilized this technology for decades to manage heavy document loads.
Hunter Biden received a pardon after his conviction on three felonies related to illegal gun possession.
Both Hunter Biden and former first lady Jill Biden have faced accusations of wielding disproportionate influence over the president during his final weeks in office.
Trump and his supporters have consistently argued that Biden’s reliance on the autopen device invalidated his presidential actions or demonstrated his lack of awareness regarding these decisions.
These claims have sparked debate about the legitimacy of Biden’s final executive actions.
The specific details regarding Biden’s use of autopen technology for pardons remain unclear.
Trump declared in March his predecessor’s last-minute pardons “void, vacant and of no further force or effect.”
He simultaneously warned that House committee members who investigated the Jan. 6 riots could face prosecution.
Martin’s investigation targets preemptive pardons Biden issued to multiple family members and clemency decisions that converted 37 federal death penalty sentences to life imprisonment, the Daily Mail reported.
These actions occurred during Biden’s final weeks as president.
Biden pardoned five family members just before transferring power to Trump on Jan. 20.
He stated his intention to “protect them from future politically motivated investigations.” The pardons “went to Biden’s siblings James Biden, Frank Biden and Valerie Biden Owens as well as their spouses, John Owens and Sara Biden.”
The December 1 pardon of Hunter Biden addressed his guilty plea to tax violations and conviction on firearms-related charges.
Hunter Biden faced potential prison time of up to 25 years, though legal experts anticipated a significantly lighter sentence for his first offense.
Hunter Biden’s scheduled sentencing became unnecessary following the presidential pardon.
Martin’s email did not identify which specific family member pardons would undergo investigation.
The communication also failed to clarify who authorized Martin to commence the investigation.
Both the White House and Department of Justice have been contacted for official statements regarding the probe.
The Constitution grants presidents extensive authority to issue pardons for federal criminal convictions and commutations to modify sentences.
This power has been exercised by presidents throughout American history.
Trump himself utilized executive clemency extensively during his presidency.
On Jan, 20, he granted clemency to nearly 1,600 supporters who “faced criminal charges in connection with January 6, 2021, which was a failed attempt to prevent congressional certification of Biden’s 2020 election victory over Trump.”
Martin described the presidential pardon power as “plenary,” indicating it operates as an absolute authority.
During a May 13 press conference, Martin stated, “If you use the autopen for pardon power, I don’t think that that’s necessarily a problem,” while maintaining that Biden’s pardons deserved examination.
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