Federal prosecutors in the office of Jeanine Pirro have ended a review into whether former President Joe Biden or members of his administration improperly used an autopen to sign presidential pardons, according to reporting from CBS News. Sources familiar with the matter told the outlet the inquiry concluded after prosecutors determined there was not a sufficient legal basis to pursue charges. The exact timing of when the investigation closed has not been publicly detailed.
The review reportedly began after President Donald Trump issued a directive in June calling for an examination of whether an autopen device had been used to sign significant presidential documents during Biden’s administration. The order asked federal officials to review procedures related to the signing of pardons and other executive actions.
In a memorandum at the time, Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House counsel to evaluate whether the use of a mechanical signature device could affect the validity of certain executive actions. The review considered questions about how presidential documents were authorized and signed within the White House.
Biden previously dismissed the allegations, describing them as inaccurate and politically motivated. The closing of the inquiry means prosecutors will not move forward with charges related to the matter. The United States Department of Justice has not issued additional public comment about the decision.