Newly released internal emails from the Department of Justice (DOJ) reveal that senior officials warned the Biden administration about the legal and procedural issues surrounding thousands of last-minute pardons issued via autopen in January 2025. The pardons, signed mechanically on behalf of President Joe Biden, were criticized by top DOJ lawyers, including Associate Deputy Attorney General Bradley Weinsheimer, for being "highly problematic" and legally flawed. These clemency orders reportedly freed violent offenders, including individuals convicted of murder, contradicting the administration's public characterization of the recipients as nonviolent. The DOJ expressed concern that the use of the autopen bypassed proper presidential review and control, raising questions about who was ultimately responsible for the pardons. The confusion extended beyond the president to the attorneys implementing the pardons, highlighting serious issues in the management of this presidential power. The pardons represent one of the largest clemency actions in U.S. history, and the revelations have prompted scrutiny over the administration's handling and transparency of the process.