As Joe Biden wrapped up his time in the Oval Office, it wasn’t a foreign policy move or economic reform that captured America’s attention—it was a deeply personal decision.
His only hand-signed pardon in his final months as president went to someone very close to home: his son, Hunter Biden.
And that single signature is now at the center of one of the most heated political firestorms in recent memory.
Trump Wastes No Time Launching a Full-Blown Investigation
Now back in the White House, Donald Trump is coming in hot.
One of his first actions has been to order a sweeping investigation into Biden’s use of an autopen—a device that mimics a person’s signature.
Trump’s team claims Biden’s heavy use of the autopen wasn’t just a time-saver—it was allegedly a way to cover up “serious cognitive decline.”
He’s calling it a “dangerous and unprecedented conspiracy.”
Hunter’s Pardon Stands Out as the Only One Signed by Hand
Biden issued more than 1,500 pardons during his final weeks in office—a move his team proudly touted as a historic act of clemency.
But here’s the kicker: almost all of those pardons were signed using the autopen. All except one—Hunter Biden’s.
That handwritten signature is raising eyebrows, especially considering Biden had previously said he wouldn’t step into his son’s legal troubles.
Biden’s Emotional Defense of His Decision
Back in December 2024, Hunter had pleaded guilty to felony gun charges and was also facing federal tax violations. That’s when Biden changed course.
In a heartfelt speech, he said he had stayed out of it as long as he could, but he’d had enough.
He painted his son as a man in recovery, sober for over five years, and unfairly targeted.
“In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me,” Biden said. “Enough is enough.”
Federal Prosecutors Push Back Hard
Special Counsel David Weiss, who led the investigation into Hunter, didn’t hold back.
He accused Biden of making “gratuitous and wrong” claims about the justice system being politically motivated.
He even compared the moment to other presidents who pardoned family members—but said none of them used the occasion to go after public servants.
More Family Pardons and Big Names Included
Biden didn’t stop with Hunter. He also issued pardons for his two brothers and his sister, reportedly trying to shield them from possible legal action under Trump’s incoming administration.
Some members of the congressional committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riot were also pardoned, a move that critics say was politically strategic.
Trump Orders a Deep Dive Into Every Signature
Trump has now directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington to review every document Biden signed during his presidency—from executive orders to pardons and appointments.
The goal? To figure out which signatures were real and which were autopen-generated.
What’s the Autopen Anyway?
The autopen isn’t new. It’s been used by several past presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, to help with the overwhelming number of documents needing their signature.
Even Trump admits to using it occasionally—for things like replying to fan mail from kids.
But he argues that Biden took it to an extreme level—using it for major policy decisions, not just routine paperwork.
Who Was Really in Charge?
There’s growing concern among critics that Biden’s inner circle—family and close aides—were calling the shots while Biden’s public visibility declined.
His press conferences were limited, his appearances tightly scripted, and his interactions with lawmakers heavily controlled.
Some insiders now suggest that behind closed doors, it wasn’t Biden making the final calls.
Republicans Are Gearing Up for a Major Legal Battle
The implications are massive. If investigators confirm that key executive actions were made without Biden’s direct involvement, Republicans could attempt to overturn them—everything from pardons to judicial appointments.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer is already pursuing top Biden aides and even Biden’s physician to testify about the president’s mental fitness during his term.
Biden Hits Back at the Accusations
Biden has fiercely defended himself, insisting that he personally made all presidential decisions.
“Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,” he said.
He called Trump’s investigation a “distraction,” accusing Republicans of trying to divert attention from critical legislation like healthcare and taxes.
Internal Memos Raise More Questions
Despite Biden’s defense, leaked memos suggest that senior aides often controlled who had access to the president—and may have used the autopen without his direct input.
If that’s true, it could raise serious constitutional questions about the legitimacy of thousands of presidential actions.
What Happens Next?
Trump’s team wants to get to the bottom of it—and fast.
With subpoenas flying and legal inquiries mounting, this controversy could end up in the Supreme Court.
Trump, as always, put it bluntly: “The American people deserve to know who was really running the country.”