Trump's Pardon Signatures Raise Red Flags: Justice Department Corrects "Technical Error

The Justice Department posted pardons online bearing identical copies of President Donald Trump's signature before quietly correcting them this week after what the agency called a technical error. The replacements came after online commenters seized on striking similarities in the president's signature across a series of pardons dated November 7, including those granted to former New York Mets player Darryl Strawberry, former Tennessee House speaker Glen Casada and former New York police sergeant Michael McMahon. According to forensic document experts, the signatures on several pardons initially uploaded to the Justice Department's website were identical. The experts, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the similarities were unusual and suggested a possible use of an autopen, a machine that can reproduce a person's signature. Trump had previously mocked President Joe Biden's use of an autopen to sign documents, calling it "ridiculous" and "pathetic." The Justice Department initially defended the use of the identical signatures, saying it was a standard practice to use a facsimile of the president's signature on pardons. However, the agency later corrected the mistake, replacing the identical signatures with new ones bearing the president's actual signature. A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment on the matter, citing the agency's policy of not discussing internal procedures. The controversy surrounding the identical signatures has raised questions about the use of autopens and the authenticity of presidential signatures. Some experts have argued that the use of autopens can be a legitimate way to ensure consistency and efficiency in signing documents, while others have raised concerns about the potential for forgery. The incident has also sparked debate about the transparency and accountability of the pardon process. Critics have argued that the Justice Department's initial defense of the identical signatures was inadequate and that the agency should have been more forthcoming about the use of autopens. Supporters of the administration have defended the use of autopens as a necessary tool for ensuring the efficient processing of pardons. As of now, the Justice Department has not commented on the specific circumstances surrounding the use of the identical signatures. The agency has also not disclosed whether any further action will be taken to address the issue. The controversy is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming days and weeks, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the pardon process.