In a bombshell development rocking Washington, whistleblower allegations and mounting congressional scrutiny suggest a deepening scandal involving the use of an autopen at the White House—potentially tied to the sale of presidential pardons under President Joe Biden’s administration.

The controversy centers on the use of an autopen—a mechanical device used to replicate a person’s signature—allegedly to authorize thousands of presidential pardons and commutations without direct oversight from President Biden himself. Critics now claim the device was not just used to save time but to rubber-stamp legal documents in exchange for illicit payments, with some claiming up to 8,000 pardons were authorized this way.

Congressman Raises Red Flags

The scandal broke wide open when Republican Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN) raised concerns during a televised segment, questioning how President Biden could personally approve thousands of pardons. “You think Joe couldn’t remember what he had for breakfast, and he reviewed 8,000 files on pardons?” Burchett asked, calling the process “shady” and reflective of everyday corruption in Washington, D.C.

Burchett speculated that White House aides used the autopen to process pardons through a “bogus legal system,” suggesting that people may have profited off the scheme. “Somebody got rich off that,” he said, warning that those involved “will probably see something horrible happen to them because it goes up the chain.”

House Oversight Takes Action

In response to the growing controversy, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer confirmed that whistleblowers have stepped forward with specific names of staffers allegedly involved. Comer claims the investigation has uncovered that not only pardons—but also major executive orders—were signed using the autopen, casting doubt on who was truly making decisions during Biden’s term.

“We’re going to bring in everyone we believe was involved in any role with the autopen,” Comer stated. “If they don’t comply with interviews, we’ll issue subpoenas and conduct full depositions.”

According to Comer, the investigation has linked the autopen use to periods of President Biden’s “mental decline,” raising further questions about competence and legality. The implication: if Biden was not mentally fit to approve these decisions, their legitimacy is potentially void.

DOJ Oversight Attorney Sounds the Alarm

Ed Martin, a former U.S. Attorney and current figure in DOJ-related oversight activities, added fuel to the fire, revealing that he had contacted senior Biden officials about the issue early on in Biden’s presidency. Martin claims he received responses—some from officials who “lawyered up”—and confirms that a whistleblower has now alleged that specific individuals within Biden’s inner circle profited from controlling access to the autopen.

Among those named as “gatekeepers” were high-level staffers Ron Klain, Anita Dunn, and Bob Bauer, all known to hold powerful positions in the Biden administration. “A senior Democrat from the Biden 2020 campaign told me directly that these three were controlling access—and money was changing hands,” said Martin.

Martin emphasized the legal dangers of such actions, noting that an incompetent person cannot legally authorize contracts or executive decisions. “If you use a tool like the autopen while knowing the principal is not competent, then you’ve committed fraud.”

Is This the Next Major Scandal?

While autopen use by presidents is not illegal in itself—having been used occasionally by past presidents like George W. Bush and Barack Obama—critics argue that Biden’s unprecedented volume of use, especially in light of concerns over his mental acuity, raises constitutional questions.

This growing scandal not only challenges the legitimacy of Biden’s executive actions but also threatens to embroil top White House officials in a corruption investigation that could extend well beyond pardons.

As new whistleblowers emerge and subpoenas are prepared, this story is far from over. What began as a technical question about signatures may now explode into a historic case of abuse of power and institutional failure—one that could reshape the conversation around executive authority and presidential fitness for office.

Biden Autopen Scandal, presidential pardons, whistleblower, James Comer, Tim Burchett, White House staff, executive orders, Ron Klain, Anita Dunn, Bob Bauer, pay-to-play, presidential signature fraud, Biden cognitive decline, DOJ oversight, corruption scandal