Former President Joe Biden reemerged into the political spotlight Thursday with a sharp-tongued and unapologetic appearance on The View, where he forcefully responded to recent claims made by President Donald Trump regarding the legitimacy of last-minute pardons issued during the final hours of Biden’s presidency.
The lively daytime interview marked Biden’s most high-profile media appearance since stepping away from the national stage following his historic decision to forgo a reelection bid in 2024 and endorse then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
During the segment, co-host Joy Behar confronted Biden directly about Trump’s renewed efforts to undermine his legacy, including claims that the pardons Biden issued shortly before leaving office were legally invalid.
According to Trump, the clemencies—many of which were granted to political dissidents and former Trump critics—were “void” because Biden had used an autopen to sign the documents rather than physically signing each one himself.
“Trump is obsessed with the fact that you used an autopen to sign the pardons you issued right before you left office,” Behar said, drawing laughter from the studio audience. “Now, he’s calling for investigations and claiming the pardons are void and vacant.”
Biden, never one to pass on an opportunity for a well-timed jab, responded swiftly. “Oh, he’s vacant,” the former president quipped, prompting an eruption of laughter and applause from the hosts and audience. The brief but cutting remark quickly went viral across social media, with “He’s vacant” trending on X within hours.
The segment comes at a moment of rising political tension as Trump begins to reassert himself in the early months of his second presidential term. Having narrowly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election after Biden withdrew from the race, Trump has wasted no time attempting to dismantle key elements of the Biden-era legacy—including the wave of pardons that closed out Biden’s presidency.
According to Trump, Biden’s use of an autopen—a common tool for high-level officials to authorize documents in bulk—renders those actions constitutionally invalid.
The legal argument is not new. Trump made similar claims in 2011, when then-President Barack Obama used an autopen to sign a short-term extension of the Patriot Act while traveling in Europe.
At the time, conservative legal scholars debated whether such a move could satisfy the constitutional requirement for the president to sign bills into law. However, the Justice Department under Obama issued a memo affirming the legality of autopen usage, citing longstanding precedent and technological practicality.
Now, Trump is reviving those questions to cast doubt on the final acts of his predecessor’s presidency. While the White House has not formally announced any investigation into the matter, Trump has mentioned the issue in multiple rallies, media appearances, and social media posts since his return to office, claiming that the pardons should be rescinded.
The controversy stems from a batch of last-minute clemencies issued by Biden that included controversial political figures, whistleblowers, and others who had opposed Trump in the past.
Among them were former federal employees who had publicly criticized the Trump administration, activists who protested during the January 6 trials, and even foreign nationals involved in human rights campaigns.
Trump and his allies argue that Biden attempted to protect his political allies and insulate them from legal consequences using a tool he didn’t personally wield—his signature.
While many legal experts have dismissed Trump’s argument as politically motivated and constitutionally weak, it has fueled calls among Trump loyalists for further scrutiny of Biden’s final days in office.
Several Republican lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus have floated the idea of holding hearings on the matter, though no formal inquiry has been launched.
Biden, for his part, appeared unbothered by the allegations. He used the interview not only to swat down Trump’s attacks but to remind Americans of his 2020 victory and paint his former rival as fixated on the past.
“Why is he so fixated on you and blaming you for everything?” Behar asked, echoing a question that many political observers have posed in recent months as Trump continues to mention Biden in speeches, interviews, and policy briefings.
“I beat him,” Biden replied matter-of-factly, earning more applause from the audience. “I’m used to dealing with bullies.”
Indeed, Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election was decisive. He defeated Trump by 74 electoral votes and a margin of over 7 million in the popular vote.
That win—along with Democratic victories in the House and Senate—set the tone for Biden’s four years in office, during which he passed landmark infrastructure, healthcare, and climate legislation, appointed a historic number of judges, and oversaw the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
His decision not to seek reelection in 2024, announced in a carefully choreographed address to the nation in early spring of that year, shocked some within the Democratic Party but was ultimately seen as a selfless move to clear the path for younger leadership.
Biden endorsed Kamala Harris, who had served loyally as his vice president and built a national profile as a sharp debater and policy expert.
Despite a vigorous campaign, Harris fell short in the general election, losing narrowly to Trump after a contentious and deeply polarizing campaign season.
Since then, Biden has maintained a relatively low public profile, occasionally making public appearances and speaking at university commencements and nonprofit events.
Thursday’s appearance on The View, however, marked his most substantial reentry into the national political conversation. Dressed in a navy blue suit and seated comfortably beside the show’s co-hosts, Biden appeared relaxed, confident, and unfiltered as he recounted his time in office and responded to questions about Trump, the current state of American politics, and his hopes for the future.
Midway through the broadcast, Biden was joined by former First Lady Jill Biden, marking their first joint interview since departing the White House. The two reflected on their years of public service, the toll of political life, and the quiet joys of private citizenship.
“We’ve had time to reflect, to rest, and to reconnect,” Jill said, smiling. “But we’ve also had time to think about what really matters in this country—truth, decency, and compassion. And those are values Joe has always stood for.”
Their appearance prompted a wave of online support, with hashtags like #BidenReturns and #StillWithJoe trending on social media. Political commentators quickly dissected the former president’s remarks, praising his willingness to confront Trump’s rhetoric head-on while maintaining a tone of humility and clarity.
“This is classic Biden,” said CNN political analyst Abby Phillip. “He’s not trying to rewrite history or litigate the past, but he’s not going to sit back and let someone like Trump define the narrative, either.”
In recent weeks, Trump’s second term has encountered turbulence, particularly around new economic policies and contentious appointments. Critics have accused him of centralizing power, undermining civil service protections, and inflaming partisan tensions.
Meanwhile, his focus on Biden-era issues has drawn criticism even from some within his own party who argue that Trump should be concentrating on his current responsibilities rather than fixating on the past.
Despite these criticisms, Trump remains popular with the Republican base, and his campaign-style rallies continue to draw tens of thousands of supporters.
His approval among GOP voters remains high, although independent voters have expressed growing concern over his confrontational style and fixation on political retribution.
Biden’s use of humor and poise during his The View appearance appears aimed at reminding Americans of the contrast between the two men—not only in policy but in temperament.
His remarks drew attention not for their bombast, but for their clarity. He didn’t over-explain or take the bait on inflammatory questions; instead, he delivered concise answers that resonated with his audience and reinforced his post-presidency image as a calm, thoughtful elder statesman.
While Biden has not ruled out further involvement in public affairs, those close to him say he is unlikely to seek elected office again. Instead, he is expected to continue advocating for democracy, voting rights, and global cooperation through his foundation and a series of post-presidency initiatives.
As he exited the set of The View, the former president waved to the audience, embraced the hosts, and smiled. In that moment, he reminded Americans that while he may be retired from the highest office in the land, he has no intention of remaining silent—especially when his character or his record is called into question.
