DOJ Quietly Replaces Trump Pardon Signatures After Online Scrutiny
After online users spotted identical signatures on Trump pardons, the DOJ replaced several documents and blamed a technical error.
Here’s what went down 👇
Read this if you follow DOJ transparency, autopen controversy, or how administrative errors become political firestorms.
📍 What Just Happened
The DOJ posted pardons with what appeared to be identical Trump signatures across multiple documents.
After social media erupted, the agency swapped the files within hours, saying staff mistakenly uploaded the same signature repeatedly.
Experts confirmed the original signatures were exact copies.
The administration insists Trump hand signed all pardons.
Officials framed the issue as a website error tied to staffing shortages.
🧑💼 Who’s Involved
Darryl Strawberry, Glen Casada and Michael McMahon were among those pardoned on Nov 7.
Two forensic handwriting experts confirmed the signatures initially uploaded were identical.
DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin says the new versions contain unique signatures.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended Trump and redirected criticism toward Biden’s autopen use.
Rep Dave Min called for an investigation using Republicans’ own arguments against Biden.
🧠 Why It Matters
The issue revives debates about autopen use in presidential actions.
Republicans previously argued Biden’s autopen made actions invalid.
Now similar scrutiny is hitting Trump during a wave of high profile pardons.
The controversy questions how the DOJ verifies and posts official documents.
Legal experts clarify that signature method does not affect the validity of pardons if intent is clear.
🔍 Key Context
Trump pardoned a mix of political allies, donors and individuals claiming misconduct by federal agencies.
The pardons came shortly after he claimed not to know a crypto billionaire he pardoned in October.
Republicans recently issued a report accusing Biden of abusing the autopen.
The White House has framed the controversy as manufactured media outrage.
Critics argue the signature confusion undermines confidence in official clemency actions.
🧾 The Bottom Line
The signatures were replaced, the pardons stand and the political fight over autopen use is escalating.
Both parties are now wielding the same argument against each other.
Legally nothing changes, but politically the optics hit at a sensitive moment.
The DOJ is under renewed pressure to clarify protocols.
Expect more fights over how presidential signatures are verified and presented.
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