Well, there IS evidence he didn't know what was being issued over his signature. House Speaker Johnson recently related a story in which he questioned Biden as to why he issued an Executive Order suspending LNG exports which are important to Louisiana. He said that Biden denied ever having done so. And I guess the claim that Biden used the autopen "rarely" depends on how you define "rarely.". Finally, I don't see it as a small issue when you are talking about documents that are required to be signed by the Chief Executive. It's no big deal when you are talking about a thank you letter to a citizen but when a document is required to be signed, such a a Bill or pardon, I doubt the requirement is met by a rubber stamped or autopen created facsimile.
Biden did state that he would never pardon Hunter, but then he did, to the surprise and dismay of many of his supporters, back slide on his statement, or did he?
Joe probably can't remember what he had for breakfast let alone what he said months ago about pardoning his son before he reversed course and did so. Truth is Hunter desperately needed a pardon. The Rs would have made him testify to all sorts of misdeeds and probably ripped him to shreds under oath.
There needs to be a legal challenge to the use of the Autopen - especially in light of all the evidence (visible to one's own naked eyes and ears) as to whether or not protocol was followed and if indeed Biden was cognizant of what he was signing. The Hur report in itself gives one pause and there must be some action taken to restore the people's trust. Quite frankly, there should be a law that requires an original signature for official business - e.g. signing of bills, pardons etc. The autopen should only be used to sign ceremonial non-binding documents. In addition to the challenge of the use of the Autopen I also think they need to challenge "pre-emptive" pardons. If they don't, there will come a day when we will see Presidents (and eventually Governors) giving staff "pre-emptive" pardons on their first day in office solidifying the "laws for thee but none for me" stance that appears to have enveloped our government.
Is there any difference between the autopen and a signature stamp? If so, exactly what is it? When any automated device is used for a signature, there will always be doubt about the intention, knowledge, and sometimes competence of the signator.
Most articles are, if you look at the top info bar, there is the little play arrow. It helps me also when I can listen, learn and do my "other things".
Trump is being Trump. He throws a bomb into an argument to see how it lands. It starts discussions AND gets the left( Democrats) on the record when they inevitably get worked up on whatever subject matter it is. I get tickled watching and wondering why the Democrats haven't figured it out yet. Yes, unless a criminal case comes forward on (possibly Fauci or Schiff) the pardons will lack standing. The larger question will be which (if any) bills, laws, regulations or EO were sign with auto pen, and was Biden in the building (proximity) when the papers were signed. Would love to know "the rest of the story"!
Experts unanimously said voiding the Biden pardons are a non-starter.
I feel like the overwhelming majority of "experts" check which party is doing something before declaring what their expertise says is right. Add Trump to the mix and this onerous bias becomes, albietly with some cause, even more pronounced.
In early 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson recounted a meeting with President Biden where he questioned the president about this LNG export pause. According to Johnson, President Biden appeared unaware of the executive order he had signed, expressing surprise and stating, “I didn’t do that.”
Well, there IS evidence he didn't know what was being issued over his signature. House Speaker Johnson recently related a story in which he questioned Biden as to why he issued an Executive Order suspending LNG exports which are important to Louisiana. He said that Biden denied ever having done so. And I guess the claim that Biden used the autopen "rarely" depends on how you define "rarely.". Finally, I don't see it as a small issue when you are talking about documents that are required to be signed by the Chief Executive. It's no big deal when you are talking about a thank you letter to a citizen but when a document is required to be signed, such a a Bill or pardon, I doubt the requirement is met by a rubber stamped or autopen created facsimile.
>> A fight about Joe Biden's pardons may escalate into a larger question about the last presidency
Bring it on!
Biden did state that he would never pardon Hunter, but then he did, to the surprise and dismay of many of his supporters, back slide on his statement, or did he?
Joe probably can't remember what he had for breakfast let alone what he said months ago about pardoning his son before he reversed course and did so. Truth is Hunter desperately needed a pardon. The Rs would have made him testify to all sorts of misdeeds and probably ripped him to shreds under oath.
They still can, but now he can't invoke his 5th Amendment rights. That's my understanding anyway. I am not a lawyer.
There needs to be a legal challenge to the use of the Autopen - especially in light of all the evidence (visible to one's own naked eyes and ears) as to whether or not protocol was followed and if indeed Biden was cognizant of what he was signing. The Hur report in itself gives one pause and there must be some action taken to restore the people's trust. Quite frankly, there should be a law that requires an original signature for official business - e.g. signing of bills, pardons etc. The autopen should only be used to sign ceremonial non-binding documents. In addition to the challenge of the use of the Autopen I also think they need to challenge "pre-emptive" pardons. If they don't, there will come a day when we will see Presidents (and eventually Governors) giving staff "pre-emptive" pardons on their first day in office solidifying the "laws for thee but none for me" stance that appears to have enveloped our government.
“Joe, you hardly knew ye”
Is there any difference between the autopen and a signature stamp? If so, exactly what is it? When any automated device is used for a signature, there will always be doubt about the intention, knowledge, and sometimes competence of the signator.
Indeed, who makes MOST of their decisions, beyond which desert to take or tie to wear? And I'm not sure they get to pick a tie either.
dessert or a desert?:)
Damn autocorrect/speech to text/whatever?
But considering areas in the middle East frequented by US military? It could be either one!
Thanks for putting this in audio
Cathy
Most articles are, if you look at the top info bar, there is the little play arrow. It helps me also when I can listen, learn and do my "other things".
Efficiency !! Word of the year!🇺🇸
Trump is being Trump. He throws a bomb into an argument to see how it lands. It starts discussions AND gets the left( Democrats) on the record when they inevitably get worked up on whatever subject matter it is. I get tickled watching and wondering why the Democrats haven't figured it out yet. Yes, unless a criminal case comes forward on (possibly Fauci or Schiff) the pardons will lack standing. The larger question will be which (if any) bills, laws, regulations or EO were sign with auto pen, and was Biden in the building (proximity) when the papers were signed. Would love to know "the rest of the story"!
GOOD DAY!
Experts unanimously said voiding the Biden pardons are a non-starter.
I feel like the overwhelming majority of "experts" check which party is doing something before declaring what their expertise says is right. Add Trump to the mix and this onerous bias becomes, albietly with some cause, even more pronounced.
Everybody connected to politics is a partisan. It's the only way to survive.
In early 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson recounted a meeting with President Biden where he questioned the president about this LNG export pause. According to Johnson, President Biden appeared unaware of the executive order he had signed, expressing surprise and stating, “I didn’t do that.”
Once again,you are litigating the past instead of addressing the present,
Great article Mr. Taibbi. Trump must be careful to not set a precident that the Dems could abuse in the future.