Anyone know how to remove the auto column shift lever?

Just as you were attempting to do; drive the pin out.

It might not be a bad idea if you removed the mechanism that locks the column as well if you ever plan to take it down the track. However, you have to remove the steering wheel to get that mechanism out. Somewhere on here is a thread about tearing apart a column that has really good pictures of the mechanism I'm talking about, but I can't find it now.