bbc.com
Trump's Claim on Biden Pardons and Autopen Use Lacks Evidence
Donald Trump claims President Biden's pardons are void due to autopen usage, but BBC Verify found evidence of Biden signing pardons by hand, and legal experts confirm no such legal basis; the White House has been contacted for comment.
- Did President Biden use an autopen to sign any pardons, and if so, does this invalidate them under US law?
- President Biden has been photographed signing pardons by hand on multiple occasions, including pardons for marijuana possession and non-violent offenders. However, it is unknown if he has used an autopen for any pardons. There is no US law invalidating pardons signed via autopen.
- What evidence supports or refutes Donald Trump's claim regarding President Biden's pardons and the use of an autopen?
- Donald Trump's claim that President Biden's pardons are void due to autopen usage lacks evidence. BBC Verify found instances of Biden manually signing pardons, and legal experts confirm no legal basis for invalidating autopen-signed pardons. The White House has been contacted for comment.
- What are the potential legal and constitutional implications of Trump attempting to invalidate Biden's pardons signed via autopen?
- Trump's attempt to declare Biden's pardons void would likely be unsuccessful and may violate constitutional norms. Such an action would require re-prosecuting pardoned individuals, leading to significant legal challenges and potentially testing constitutional boundaries. The use of autopen for presidential documents, including pardons, has historical precedent.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing centers around Trump's unsubstantiated claim, giving significant attention to its debunking. While necessary to address the public statement, this could inadvertently amplify the claim's reach. The headline and introduction could have been worded to place less emphasis on Trump's statement while still addressing it, e.g., focusing on the investigation's findings. The article uses the word "void" prominently, echoing Trump's language, potentially affecting reader perception of the claim's legitimacy.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. However, the use of the term "unselect committee," directly quoting Trump, carries a partisan connotation and could impact the article's impartiality. Phrases like "Trump's unsubstantiated claim" and "Trump appears to have taken his cue" also maintain objectivity without using charged language.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Trump's claims and the BBC's investigation into their validity, but it lacks the perspective of the Biden administration's response to these claims. While the BBC mentions requesting comment, the inclusion of the administration's official statement would provide a more complete picture. The article also omits a detailed explanation of the legal precedents and interpretations surrounding the use of autopen signatures for presidential documents beyond the mention of a 2005 DOJ memo.
Sustainable Development Goals
President Trump's claim about void pardons undermines the integrity of the US justice system and the pardon process. His attempt to invalidate pardons signed using autopen, without legal basis, disrupts established norms and potentially sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations. The lack of evidence supporting his claim further fuels distrust in governmental processes.