Rand Paul Suggests Jill Biden, Fauci Scrutiny in Autopen Pardon Probe

Senator Rand Paul has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of pardons issued by President Joe Biden using an autopen, a mechanical signature device, during the final months of his administration. Paul suggested that some pardons, including that of Dr. Anthony Fauci, may not have been personally signed by President Biden and that an assistant connected to the First Lady Jill Biden might have overseen the process, casting doubt on the President's cognizance and involvement. He highlighted that while many pardons were issued mechanically, the pardon for Hunter Biden was personally signed by President Biden, intensifying scrutiny. President Trump has ordered a probe into the use of the autopen for these pardons, with congressional Republicans investigating and subpoenaing former Biden aides, although some have invoked their Fifth Amendment rights. Paul proposed that the issue might need to be resolved in court, possibly through indictments such as one suggested against Fauci for lying to Congress, which could test the validity of any pardons he received. The controversy underscores concerns about the delegation of presidential powers and the oversight of critical executive decisions.