The controversy over former President Joe Biden’s reported use of an autopen to sign pardons has prompted fresh scrutiny, with investigators reportedly active in both Delaware and Washington, D.C. Sources say the probe has picked up pace in recent weeks, and political leaders are already reacting. Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly acknowledged her office is looking into the matter, calling attention to questions about how pardons were handled.
This investigation centers on two simple facts: where decisions were made and who signed them. Republican officials and conservative commentators are framing the autopen reports as a transparency and accountability problem, arguing that pardons require clear chains of authority. The focus on Delaware and Washington signals this is more than a local curiosity; it may touch on presidential practice and federal executive procedures.
A source familiar with the situation told Fox News on Wednesday morning, “It looks like the investigation has heated up in recent weeks and it appears there’s a focus in Delaware as well as Washington, DC.” That line landed quickly in conservative circles because it suggests active, parallel lines of inquiry rather than a single, isolated review. For Republicans, the idea that two jurisdictions are digging in increases the chance that meaningful answers will emerge.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a post on X that her “team is reviewing the Biden administration’s reported use of autopen for pardons.” Those words from a former state attorney general carry weight in Republican narratives about law and order. Bondi’s statement makes the concern official and signals that legal minds are evaluating whether any procedures or statutes were sidestepped.
At its core, the autopen question is about who exercises presidential power when the president is not physically signing a document. Critics argue that using an autopen for pardons could short-circuit normal checks and transparency, creating a gray area ripe for political misuse. Republicans say that if an autopen was used without clear policy or oversight, voters deserve to know why and whether the process met legal standards.
The geographic spread of the reported scrutiny — Delaware and Washington — raises practical questions about documents, witnesses, and records. Delaware has long been tied to President Biden’s personal and political life, and Washington is where federal pardon policy is administered. Republicans are pointing to that split as evidence this isn’t merely partisan chatter but a real procedural issue that could reveal how decisions were coordinated.
From a GOP perspective, this is a test of how seriously institutions treat executive accountability. If investigations produce credible answers, they expect corrective steps and policy fixes to prevent future confusion. If the inquiry stalls or details remain opaque, Republicans will push the narrative that the system allowed a bypass of normal safeguards and that voters should demand clearer rules on executive actions.
This is a developing news story; check back for updates.
