USA Trump threatens those pardoned by Biden with investigations
US President Donald Trump is threatening political opponents who were pardoned by his predecessor Joe Biden with legal prosecution. Those affected should expect "investigations at the highest level", the Republican wrote on the Truth Social platform. He is particularly targeting members of the committee investigating the storming of the Capitol, whom Democrat Biden had pardoned as a precautionary measure shortly before the end of his term of office.
17.03.2025, 21:37
SDA
Trump questioned the validity of the pardons and picked up on a conspiracy theory that is widespread in right-wing circles. They were "null and void" as they had been signed using a signature machine. Trump claimed that Biden neither signed the documents himself nor knew about them. His spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later followed up. She stated that Biden was "mentally impaired" and that his signature may have been used "illegally".
Use of autopen is common practice
It is unclear whether Biden actually used a so-called autopen for the pardons. However, such a process would not be unusual. As several US media outlets have reported, previous presidents have also used the mechanical signature aid for pardons and other documents. The "New York Times" and the online portal "The Hill" also pointed out that there is no constitutional basis for reversing pardons issued by a predecessor.
A US president has the power to shorten or revoke the sentences of those convicted under federal law - this right is often used, especially at the end of a term of office. Biden pardoned a number of people who had been convicted of non-violent drug offenses, but also several family members - including his son Hunter - as well as political opponents of Trump. The latter had vowed revenge on his opponents - or those he regarded as such - during the election campaign.
Pardoned man insults Trump: "loudmouth"
All members of the committee investigating the Capitol storm were therefore also pardoned by Biden as a precautionary measure. The congressional committee was set up after the violent attack on the US Parliament on January 6, 2021, to investigate the background to the crime and the role of those responsible - including Trump.
Right at the start of his second term in office, Trump himself pardoned all those involved in the Capitol attack - including members of the radical right-wing groups "Oath Keepers" and "Proud Boys" as well as criminals who had been sentenced to long prison terms.
A former committee member, Republican ex-Congressman Adam Kinzinger, reacted promptly on Platform X to the US President's latest threats. In a video, he addressed Trump directly: "You weak, whiny little man," said Kinzinger and followed up with further personal insults. He then challenged Trump: "Stop all this loudmouth talk. (...) Show me what you can do."
