Verdict with Ted Cruz

Biden Autopen Pardons are Null & Void plus Fighting Horrific Nigerian Persecution of Christians

Sep 10, 2025
The podcast dives into the controversy surrounding President Biden's use of an autopen for pardons, questioning their legitimacy under constitutional law. Concerns of presidential disengagement and potential legal ramifications emerge from this discussion. Additionally, the conversation sheds light on the alarming persecution of Christians in Nigeria by extremist groups, highlighting proposed legislation aimed at holding aggressors accountable and promoting global religious freedom.
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INSIGHT

Clemency Requires Presidential Authorization

  • Presidential clemency has legal force only when the President personally authorizes it or there's an unbroken line of direction from the President.
  • Senator Ted Cruz argues auto-pen use without direct presidential approval renders pardons and commutations null and void under Article II.
INSIGHT

Mass Clemencies Were Issued By Criteria, Not Case Review

  • The Biden White House issued thousands of clemencies in December 2024, many via broad criteria and auto-pen use rather than individual review.
  • Cruz cites emails showing staffers could not verify the President's specific approval for many commutations, raising constitutional concerns.
ANECDOTE

Only One Final Pardon Signed Personally

  • Cruz highlights that Biden personally signed only one final pardon, while many others were auto-penned by staff.
  • He lists notable names believed to have been auto-penned, like Mark Milley and Anthony Fauci, to illustrate the practice.
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