Trump Targets Biden’s Use of Autopen, Sparks Debate Over Executive Orders
President claims documents signed mechanically during Biden’s term are invalid
Washington, Nov 29: US President Donald Trump announced that he is nullifying all documents signed by autopen during Joe Biden’s presidency, potentially invalidating a broad range of executive actions issued between 2021 and 2024.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that approximately 92% of Biden’s documents were signed using the mechanical device. “Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the Autopen… is hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect,” Trump wrote, adding that he was cancelling all executive orders and other directives not personally signed by Biden, alleging illegal use of the device by aides.
The move raises questions about which executive actions will be affected, as Biden issued 162 executive orders during his term. While the autopen is legally used for presidential signatures, Trump claims Biden did not personally authorize its use and warned that asserting otherwise could lead to perjury charges.
President Biden has dismissed the allegations, stating, “I made the decisions during my presidency… Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”
The announcement may also draw scrutiny to Biden’s final pardons, including those involving his son and officials linked to Trump investigations. Autopen use has precedent in US politics; President Obama first used it in 2011 to sign legislation while abroad.
