President Donald Trump has declared that the preemptive pardons issued by former President Joe Biden to members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack are "void, vacant, and of no further force or effect." Trump's assertion is based on the claim that these pardons were signed using an autopen—a device that replicates a person's signature—without Biden's direct knowledge or approval.

Legal experts, however, dispute Trump's position. The U.S. Department of Justice has previously affirmed that the use of an autopen for official presidential signatures is valid. Past presidents, including Barack Obama, have utilized the autopen for signing legislation and other official documents. Therefore, autopen-signed pardons are generally considered legally binding.

Biden's preemptive pardons were intended to protect individuals such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6 House committee from potential prosecution by the incoming administration. Despite Trump's claims, there is no constitutional provision that allows a sitting president to nullify pardons issued by a predecessor. Any attempt to invalidate these pardons would likely face significant legal challenges.

Trump has also indicated plans to investigate those who received these pardons, particularly members of the January 6 committee, suggesting that their actions during the investigation may warrant further scrutiny.