Bulwark Takes: King Trump Makes Insane Decree On Biden Pardons
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Host/Authors: Tim Miller, Andrew Egger, Bill Kristol, and others from The Bulwark

Introduction

In the March 17, 2025 episode of Bulwark Takes, The Bulwark team delves into the latest political turmoil ignited by former President Donald Trump's recent declaration challenging President Joe Biden's pardoning actions. Host Tim Miller and guest Andrew Egger dissect Trump's claims, examining their validity, implications, and the broader political context surrounding the controversy.

Trump's Declaration and Claims

The episode opens with Tim Miller introducing the breaking news: Donald Trump has issued a decree nullifying Joe Biden's purported pardons related to the January 6th committee members. Trump alleges that these pardons are "all caps, void, vacant and of no further force or effect" because they were signed using an auto pen, suggesting Biden was unaware of their issuance.

Tim Miller [00:00]:

"Donald Trump has decreed that Joe Biden's preemptive pardons for the January 6th committee members are all caps, void, vacant and of no further force or effect because they were apparently signed with an auto pen."

Analysis of the Auto Pen Theory

Andrew Egger provides a detailed analysis of Trump's assertion, breaking down the viability and legal standing of the auto pen argument. He explains that while presidents do use auto pens for efficiency, there's no substantial evidence that Biden's pardons were executed without his knowledge or consent.

Andrew Egger [00:42]:

"Joe Biden... was asleep and that some other person signed the auto pen. I think that there's some problems with that theory."

Egger further elaborates on the historical use of auto pens by presidents, noting that both President Obama and President Biden have utilized them for signing not only memorabilia but also official documents. He references President George W. Bush’s 2005 consultation with the Justice Department, which affirmed the legality of using aides to sign documents on the president's behalf.

Historical Context and Presidential Practices

The discussion shifts to the historical context of auto pen usage, highlighting that it is a standard practice among presidents to streamline the signing process. Tim Miller adds a personal anecdote about his experience as an auto pen signer for the Governor of Colorado in 2001, illustrating the mechanical nature of the process.

Tim Miller [01:29]:

"Did you know this about me, Andrew, that I was the auto pen signer for the governor of Colorado in the year 2001 when you were still in diapers."

This segment underscores that the use of auto pens is a long-standing tradition and not inherently indicative of malfeasance.

Dissecting Trump's Conspiracy Theories

Andrew Egger critically examines the multiple conspiracy theories presented by Trump in his Truth Social post. He categorizes them as follows:

1. Altered Signatures: Asserts Biden did not physically sign the pardons.
2. Unauthorized Actions: Claims Biden was unaware of the pardons.
3. Orchestrated Scheme: Suggests that committee members like Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson conspired to forge pardons.

Andrew Egger [02:18]:

"Donald Trump is accusing... Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson, these people of somehow hatching and carrying out this scheme to forge their own pardon documents."

Egger argues that these allegations are baseless and appear to be a strategic attempt by Trump to undermine Biden's authority and target his political adversaries.

Political and Legal Implications

Tim Miller discusses the potential political motivations behind Trump's decree, suggesting it serves as a means to retaliate against those involved in the January 6th committee and other political opponents.

Tim Miller [04:07]:

"This is necessary for this fascistic purpose, right, that he wants to go after his political foes."

Andrew Egger adds that Trump's approach mirrors his previous tactics of leveraging unfounded claims to assert authority, pointing out the absurdity of using auto pens as a justification for revoking official actions.

Andrew Egger [06:23]:

"Like, the auto pen has not been a major locus of contention because nobody's tried to pull this shit off before, right, that Trump is trying to do today."

Public and Political Reactions

The episode highlights reactions from those targeted by Trump's decree. Bennie Thompson issues a statement dismissing Trump's allegations as "no basis in reality" and asserts his resilience against such attacks.

Tim Miller [10:41]:

"Benny Thompson is out with a statement saying he's not afraid of Trump's latest midnight rant and has no basis in reality."

The team also anticipates potential responses from Joe Biden, noting the unusual nature of former presidents actively addressing such controversies. They suggest that Biden’s possible responses could either mitigate or exacerbate the situation depending on his approach.

Expert Commentary and Future Implications

Legal analyst Kim Whaley contributes her perspective, emphasizing the likelihood that Trump’s claims will be dismissed in court but acknowledging the potential for prolonged legal battles and reputational damage to those implicated.

Kim Whaley [08:41]:

"This will now lead to an expensive legal battle and, like, the day. And that there will be damage already done to these folks."

Andrew Egger reflects on Trump's authoritarian tendencies, highlighting the danger of a “goofy” persona being used to wield state power without accountability.

Andrew Egger [09:41]:

"He's such a silly man. He's so goofy and unserious... that's an authoritarian, and you can do a lot of damage."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Tim Miller urging listeners to stay informed by subscribing to the Morning Shots newsletter and promising further discussions on the topic with Bill Kristol later in the day. The team underscores the seriousness of Trump’s latest decree, framing it as another aggressive move in the ongoing political battles that could have lasting consequences for American democracy and legal integrity.

Tim Miller [11:02]:

"We'll keep monitoring this... Thanks, Andrew."

Key Takeaways

• Trump's Allegations: Former President Trump claims Biden's pardons for January 6th committee members are invalid due to unauthorized signing using an auto pen.
• Auto Pen Usage: The use of auto pens by presidents is a standard practice, previously affirmed as legal, and typically involves aides signing documents on the president's behalf.
• Conspiracy Theories: Trump's decree combines multiple unfounded conspiracy theories aimed at discrediting Biden and targeting political opponents.
• Legal and Political Repercussions: Experts believe Trump's claims will be legally untenable but warn of prolonged legal challenges and reputational harm to those implicated.
• Authoritarian Risks: The episode highlights concerns about authoritarian tactics employed by Trump, emphasizing the potential for significant damage despite superficial absurdity.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Miller [00:00]:

  "Donald Trump has decreed that Joe Biden's preemptive pardons for the January 6th committee members are all caps, void, vacant and of no further force or effect because they were apparently signed with an auto pen."

• Andrew Egger [02:18]:

  "Donald Trump is accusing... Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson, these people of somehow hatching and carrying out this scheme to forge their own pardon documents."

• Kim Whaley [08:41]:

  "This will now lead to an expensive legal battle and, like, the day…. there will be damage already done to these folks."

• Andrew Egger [09:41]:

  "He's such a silly man. He's so goofy and unserious... that's an authoritarian, and you can do a lot of damage."

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