The Department of Justice is actively investigating the use of an autopen to issue presidential pardons during the final days of the previous administration. Ed Martin, the newly appointed pardon attorney and head of the DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group, confirmed that the inquiry has been underway for several weeks and was initiated during his time as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.Martin shared that his office has received information from a whistleblower and that multiple individuals have sought legal representation in connection with the investigation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the pardon process and ensuring transparency for the public.
“I had a whistleblower in my office 10 days ago—someone with close ties to national Democratic leadership—who claimed that access to the autopen process was tightly controlled and potentially used for personal gain,” Martin said during an interview on the program 2WAY Tonight. “We’re looking into it carefully and taking the allegations seriously.”
Steve Ricchetti, campaign chairman and former presidential counselor
First Lady Jill Biden
Martin clarified that the investigation is focused on procedural integrity and does not assume wrongdoing by any individuals until the facts are fully examined.
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