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Top Biden officials questioned and criticized how his team issued pardons, used autopen: report

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Top Biden administration officials questioned and criticized the way the former president’s team handled pardons and made use of an autopen in the waning days of his White House term, a report said, citing internal emails.

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A person familiar with the clemency process told Axios that after President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter on Dec. 1, 2024, «there was a mad dash to find groups of people that he could then pardon — and then they largely didn’t run it by the Justice Department to vet them.» 

The news agency reported Saturday that several senior Justice Department officials raised concerns with the White House counsel’s office regarding the process to pardon individuals.

Three days before Biden left office, the president announced he was «commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy and practice.» 

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BIDEN’S AUTO-PEN PARDONS DISTURBED DOJ BRASS, DOCS SHOW, RAISING QUESTIONS WHETHER THEY ARE LEGALLY BINDING 

Former President Joe Biden speaks during a conference of the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) at the Sofitel Hotel in Chicago April 15, 2025.  (Tannen Maury/AFP via Getty Images)

«With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,» Biden said in a statement Jan. 17. 

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However, Axios reported that the following day, senior Justice Department ethics attorney Bradley Weinsheimer argued in a memo that describing those who were pardoned as nonviolent was «untrue, or at least misleading.» 

«Unfortunately and despite repeated requests and warnings, we were not afforded a reasonable opportunity to vet and provide input on those you were considering,» Weinsheimer wrote, according to Axios. 

The news agency said Weinsheimer mentioned a man who pleaded guilty to murder-related charges. 

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Weinsheimer described how the Justice Department labeled the man as «problematic,» yet Biden commuted his sentence, Axios reported. 

«I have no idea if the president was aware of these backgrounds when making clemency decisions,» Weinsheimer reportedly added. 

Ed Siskel, the former head of the White House counsel’s office, and representatives for Biden did not immediately respond Saturday to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.

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‘SHOULD BE PROSECUTED’: HOUSE REPUBLICANS ZERO IN ON BIDEN AUTOPEN PARDONS AFTER BOMBSHELL REPORT 

Former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden

Former President Joe Biden, left, and his son, Hunter Biden, stand side by side. The former president pardoned Hunter Biden in December 2024. (Getty Images)

Senior Biden White House officials also pushed back internally on requests to use the autopen, according to Axios, which cited emails it obtained. 

It said Biden White House staff secretary Stef Feldman repeatedly asked for more information and confirmation of Biden’s intentions with the autopen. 

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«When did we get [Biden’s] approval of this?» Feldman reportedly wrote in a Jan. 7 email regarding the use of autopen to sign an executive order. 

«I’m going to need email from … original chain confirming [Biden] signs off on the specific documents when they are ready,» she was cited by Axios as writing in a Jan. 16 email about using autopen to commute cases linked to crack cocaine sentences. 

The developments come as President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into Biden’s administration, alleging that top officials used autopen signatures to cover up the former president’s cognitive decline. 

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«I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,» Biden said in a statement in June.  

Biden and Trump at inauguration

Former President Joe Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump to the White House ahead of his inauguration Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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«This is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.»

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Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. 

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How did Jeffrey Epstein get rich? Meet Les Wexner, the ex-Victoria’s Secret CEO who once worked with him

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An 88-year-old billionaire businessman and former Victoria’s Secret chief is the latest person to fall within the House Oversight Committee’s investigative crosshairs in the Jeffrey Epstein case, as he is scheduled to appear before the panel in Ohio on Wednesday morning.

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The crimes of the late accused sex trafficker Epstein are well-known, having gained new media attention in recent months after Congress forced the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disclose millions of pages of documents.

But less is known about the figures who operated within Epstein’s orbit and how they helped him get the vast international sphere of influence he enjoyed before finding himself in a Manhattan jail awaiting trial, where he killed himself in 2019.

Les Wexner, founder of L Brands, the former chief of Victoria’s Secret, is one of those figures, having been named a co-conspirator of Epstein in a recently uncovered FBI document from 2019.

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REVEALED: TRUMP CALLED POLICE CHIEF TO SUPPORT EPSTEIN PROBE, AND LAWMAKERS NAMED 6 MEN SHIELDED FROM EXPOSURE

Leslie Wexner, former CEO of Victoria’s Secret and other fashion brands, is named numerous times in the DOJ files on Jeffrey Epstein. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Fragrance Foundation; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Wexner is the founder of L Brands, formerly known as The Limited, which included Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Pink. He also helped found Abercrombie & Fitch, a clothing brand that was once popular among teens in the U.S.

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Wexner has never been charged with crimes related to the late financier, and a spokesperson for the mogul told Fox News Digital that the «Assistant U.S. Attorney told Mr. Wexner’s legal counsel in 2019 that Mr. Wexner was neither a co-conspirator nor target in any respect.» 

But documents released by the DOJ allege that Wexner was one of the key players in how Epstein built his wealth and later ran his illicit empire.

One file from 2013 that appears to have been in the possession of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) titled «Jeffrey Epstein Source of Wealth,» said Wexner «became a well-known client» of Epstein’s financial management firm in 1987.

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At the time, Wexner was identified as the founder and chairman of the Ohio-based women’s clothing brand The Limited.

«Since all but one of his financial clients are anonymous, it has been speculated that much of Epstein’s lavish lifestyle was once financed by Wexner,» reads the document, which appears to be an email. Wexner’s spokesperson declined to comment on the allegations.

That paper also noted that Wexner sold his massive Manhattan townhouse — reported to be the largest private residence in the New York City borough — to Epstein.

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CHAPPELL ROAN DUMPS TALENT AGENCY OVER BOSS’ ‘TIGHT LEATHER OUTFIT’ EMAILS TO GHISLAINE MAXWELL

A 2019 FBI witness statement from a man who purported to be Wexner’s bodyguard from 1991 to 1992 said Wexner «sold his mansion in New York to Epstein for $20.»

The same witness statement alleged that «Epstein got all of his money from Wexner.»

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A 1998 document obtained by Fox News Digital, however, shows Wexner sold his home to Epstein for a $20 million price tag. Half was paid via cashier’s check, while the other half was covered by a promissory note, the record shows.

Epstein’s Manhattan mansion was raided by the FBI in July 2019 as part of the federal sex trafficking investigation. There, law enforcement officials found vast troves of evidence, including photos of partially or fully nude women and girls, including ones who appeared to be minors.

Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan townhouse

A residence belonging to Jeffrey Epstein at East 71st Street is seen on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on July 8, 2019, in New York City.  (Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)

TRUMP THANKED FLORIDA POLICE FOR EPSTEIN PROBE IN 2000S, FLAGGED ‘EVIL’ GHISLAINE MAXWELL: FBI DOC

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The DOJ’s unsealed indictment against Epstein also said it was one of the places where he «enticed and recruited, and caused to be enticed and recruited, dozens of minor girls… to engage in sex acts with him, after which he would give the victims hundreds of dollars in cash.»

Wexner reportedly bought the mansion in 1989 for $13.2 million before selling it to a corporation partially controlled by Epstein for an «undisclosed amount,» according to Business Insider. It was then reportedly transferred to a U.S. Virgin Islands-based company controlled by Epstein for $0 in 2011.

The home was reportedly valued at $77 million at the time of the raid, making it a massive portion of Epstein’s wealth.

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CLINTONS CAVE: COMER SAYS BILL AND HILLARY TO TESTIFY IN EPSTEIN PROBE

A heavily redacted email chain from July 2025 that appears to show witness statement summaries, with the subject line, «RE: Epstein – Cellmate Interview,» also said, «Steve Scully stated Wexner was #1 on Epstein’s speed dial.»

Steve Scully appears to be a reference to a former IT contractor who lived and worked on Epstein’s private island of Little St. James from 1999 through 2005. Wexner’s spokesperson declined to comment on Scully’s claim.

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Wexner even signed a document in 1991 giving Epstein vast control over his finances via power of attorney, according to the New York Times. That document gave Epstein the power to sign checks, borrow money, and buy or sell real estate on Wexner’s behalf, the report said.

Comer addresses the press after Ghislaine Maxwell's deposition.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., speaks to reporters after a closed-door deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and confidante of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 9, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

A letter Wexner wrote to his nonprofit, the Wexner Foundation, in August 2019 said that while he did give power of attorney to Epstein, their relationship ended soon after the 2007 federal investigation first began into the late financier in Florida.

«[B]y early fall 2007, it was agreed that he should step back from the management of our personal finances. In that process, we discovered that he had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family. This was, frankly, a tremendous shock, even though it clearly pales in comparison to the unthinkable allegations against him now,» the letter said.

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«With his credibility and our trust in him destroyed, we immediately severed ties with him. We were able to recover some of the funds. The widely reported payments Mr. Epstein made to the charitable fund represented a portion of the returned monies. All of that money — every dollar of it — was originally Wexner family money.»

But other documents released by the DOJ allege that Epstein and Wexner’s relationship went further than financial management.

An FBI witness statement by Robert Morosky, a former executive for Wexner’s fashion brand, said, «He had information regarding the use of ‘Limited’ brand aircraft used in the 1990s to transport young girls from Mexico to the U.S.»

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«Morosky did not wish to give any additional information at that time; however if someone would like to pursue this information he could be reached on his personal cellular phone,’» the statement said.

It’s unclear if the lead was ever pursued, but a spokesperson for Wexner told Fox News Digital, «The allegation is false. Mr. Morosky was terminated from the company in 1987 and therefore in no position to know anything about the use of Limited planes in the 1990s.»

GHISLAINE MAXWELL PLEADS FIFTH AMENDMENT, DODGES QUESTIONS IN HOUSE OVERSIGHT EPSTEIN PROBE

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A witness statement from 2020, with the identity of the female witness redacted, said she claimed to have «often» seen Epstein and Wexner together.

She «stated that often Wexner would have models who could not have been over 18 years old do private viewings for him and Epstein. She said the models would be wearing [swimsuits] and some were in lingerie,» the document read.

Wexner’s spokesperson declined to comment on those claims and called her account of seeing the pair together «vague.»

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Pam Bondi during a press conference

Attorney General Pam Bondi conducts a news conference at the Department of Justice on December 4, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)

The female witness said she «would help with getting people to work at parties at Wexner’s compound in catering and other positions,» and that «anyone who went to work there had to have a full background check and there were certain areas of the house where they could not go without an approved escort.»

However, there was no indication of what years or period of time her claims are focused on.

A source with knowledge of company procedures argued the situation could not have happened, however. Model fittings always involved teams of 15 to 20 professionals and Epstein was never a part of that, the source maintained.

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Wexner is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee in Ohio on Wednesday morning.

Fox News Digital reached out to Wexner’s attorney for comment on the deposition and on the aforementioned claims.

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Quién es José Jerí, el presidente de Perú que fue destituido y duró solo cuatro meses

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El Congreso de Perú volvió a sacudir el tablero político este martes al censurar y echar al presidente interino José Jerí.

El abogado de 39 años, que había asumido en octubre tras la caída de Dina Boluarte, vio terminado su mandato de transición de forma abrupta en medio de un escándalo de tráfico de influencias y visitas clandestinas a un restaurante chino.

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Con su salida, el país andino se encamina a su octavo cambio de mando en una década, a solo semanas de las elecciones generales de abril.

Tras la censura, el Ejecutivo quedó acéfalo. El Congreso elegirá mañana a su nuevo presidente, quien por línea de sucesión asumirá la jefatura del Estado para completar la transición hasta julio de 2026

José Jerí asumió como nuevo presidente de Perú tras la destitución de Dina Boluarte, en un juicio político relámpago motivado por la crisis de inseguridad. Había jurado hasta julio de 2026.

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El Legislativo destituyó a Boluarte por «permanente incapacidad moral», y Jerí asumió conforme a la línea de sucesión establecida en la Constitución. Y esa misma línea de sucesión es la que hoy vuelve a activarse tras su censura. Hasta ahora presidía el Congreso, cargo que ocupaba desde agosto pasado, tras llegar al Parlamento como congresista suplente en 2021, en reemplazo del expresidente Martín Vizcarra, quien no pudo asumir su escaño por estar inhabilitado.

Durante la jura, Jerí prometió «ejercer fielmente el cargo de presidente de la República» y respetar la Constitución y las leyes. Posteriormente, firmó el acta y recibió la banda presidencial de manos del congresista Fernando Rospigliosi.

Tras el Himno Nacional, inició su discurso inaugural, en el que reconoció la crisis política que atraviesa el país y la necesidad de reconciliación: «Hay que ser dignos y también saber pedir perdón por los errores que se han podido cometer. Y a todos, las disculpas del caso y una promesa: comenzar a construir un país que permita la reconciliación entre todos los peruanos».

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Jerí asumió conforme a la línea de sucesión establecida en la Constitución. Foto: EFE/ John Reyes Mejía

Sobre seguridad ciudadana, Jerí advirtió que las bandas criminales son el principal desafío y remarcó la importancia de la coordinación de la Policía Nacional, las Fuerzas Armadas y demás instituciones del Estado: «Ellos son hoy nuestros enemigos, y como enemigos debemos declararle la guerra a la delincuencia».

Quién es José Jerí

Nacido el 13 de noviembre de 1986 en Jesús María, Lima, se graduó en Derecho en la Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal y obtuvo el título de abogado en la Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Es católico, tiene pareja pero no está casado y no tiene hijos.

Afiliado al partido derechista «Somos Perú» desde 2013, Jerí ocupó diversos cargos dentro del partido y se postuló sin éxito a elecciones municipales en Lima.

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Jerí está afiliado al partido derechista "Somos Perú" desde 2013. Foto: EFE/ John Reyes Mejía

En 2021 asumió como congresista suplente tras la inhabilitación de Vizcarra, pese a haber obtenido solo 11.600 votos de preferencia. Durante su periodo legislativo, impulsó leyes sobre seguridad, empleo, economía, educación universitaria, salud, pesca y deporte, y presidió la Comisión de Presupuesto en 2023-2024. También se desempeñó como vocero de la bancada.

A comienzos de 2025 enfrentó una denuncia por violación sexual, archivada en agosto por falta de evidencia. Al respecto, Jerí afirmó: «Puedo decir que se ha ratificado lo que ya les había dicho, de que yo no tuve ningún tipo de participación directa o indirecta; y se comprueba con ese pronunciamiento fiscal mi completa inocencia».

Es muy activo en redes sociales, especialmente en Instagram, donde se define como «abogado y animalista» y comparte sus actividades como congresista y presidente del Congreso.

La destitución de Dina Boluarte

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La remoción de Boluarte agregó un nuevo capítulo a la inestabilidad política peruana desde 2018, en la que el país ha tenido siete presidentes. Tres fueron removidos por el Parlamento, dos renunciaron ante posibles destituciones y solo uno completó su mandato interino.

Los legisladores votaron en octubre cuatro solicitudes de destitución, alegando la incapacidad de Boluarte para frenar la delincuencia. Superaron el mínimo de 56 votos requerido para cada moción, y al no presentarse la mandataria a defenderse, 124 de 130 legisladores votaron a favor de su remoción.

Los legisladores votaron a favor de la destitución, alegando la incapacidad de Boluarte. Foto: EFE/ John Reyes Mejía

Boluarte había asumido la presidencia en diciembre de 2022 tras la destitución de Pedro Castillo, quien intentó disolver el Parlamento y fue removido por «incapacidad moral». Castillo permanece detenido mientras enfrenta investigaciones por presuntos cargos de corrupción y rebelión.

Boluarte había asumido la presidencia en diciembre de 2022. Foto: EFE/Stringer

La destitución ocurre a seis meses de las elecciones generales programadas para el 12 de abril de 2026, donde se elegirá un nuevo presidente, 130 diputados y 60 senadores.

La crisis se agravó luego de un ataque armado contra el grupo de cumbia Agua Marina, que dejó cinco heridos, considerado un ejemplo del aumento de criminalidad que el gobierno de Boluarte no logró contener. La presidenta saliente atribuyó parte de la situación a inmigrantes sin documentación en el país.

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Jerí y la lista de presidentes caídos

La salida de José Jerí suma un nuevo nombre a la crisis de Perú. El abogado se integra a la nómina de mandatarios que terminaron presos o destituidos en este siglo, junto a figuras como Alberto Fujimori, Alejandro Toledo o Pedro Castillo. A semanas de las elecciones de abril, el país vuelve a cambiar de mando por octava vez en diez años.

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Vatican declines to join Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace,’ calls for UN leadership

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The Vatican will not join President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, its top diplomatic official said Tuesday, signaling reluctance from the Holy See to take part in the post-war initiative.

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Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Holy See «will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States,» the Vatican’s official news outlet reported.

The Board of Peace, which was chartered in January and includes nearly 20 countries, is tasked with managing recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas war.

While responding to questions about Italy declining to join the board, Parolin said «there are points that leave us somewhat perplexed,» adding that «there are some critical points that would need to find explanations.»

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TRUMP SNUBS CANADA BY WITHDRAWING COUNTRY’S INVITE TO JOIN ‘MOST PRESTIGIOUS BOARD OF LEADERS EVER’

The Vatican announced it will not participate in President Trump’s Gaza recovery board. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

«The important thing is that an attempt is being made to provide a response,» he said. «However, for us there are certain critical issues that should be resolved.»

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Parolin continued, «One concern is that, at the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted.»

Pope Leo, the first U.S. pope, received an invitation to join the peace board in January.

TRUMP ENVOY WARNS HAMAS OF ‘SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES’ AS ADMIN LAUNCHES PHASE TWO OF GAZA PLAN

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Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican declined to join a U.S.-backed board tasked with overseeing post-war efforts in Gaza. (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)

Leaders from 17 countries participated in the initial charter signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, in late January, including presidents and other senior government officials from Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Central and Southeast Asia.

Israel formally joined the board last week ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump at the White House.

Several other countries were also invited by the White House, including Russia, Belarus, France, Germany, Vietnam, Finland, Ukraine, Ireland, Greece and China.

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TRUMP MEETS NETANYAHU, SAYS HE WANTS IRAN DEAL BUT REMINDS TEHRAN OF ‘MIDNIGHT HAMMER’ OPERATION

Trump listens in a meeting in January 2026

President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace will move forward without Vatican participation. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Poland and Italy on Wednesday said they would not join.

Trump announced Sunday that board members have pledged more than $5 billion in aid for Gaza.

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The president said the funding would be formally pledged during a meeting Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

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