The US president asserts that a majority of the directives issued during the preceding administration are invalid due to the device’s employment
US President Donald Trump has declared his intention to annul all executive orders signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, using an autopen, a machine that replicates signatures. Trump announced this decision on Truth Social, labeling the practice unlawful and claiming the Democrat had not sanctioned its use.
Trump has consistently maintained that Biden’s cognitive abilities were declining in his final months in office, rendering him unable to direct major decisions. He has also alleged that certain aides may have utilized the autopen to forge Biden’s signature on actions the president did not personally review.
”Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the Autopen, which was approximately 92% of them, is hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect,” Trump wrote.
”The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States,” Trump further stated. He indicated he is nullifying all Executive Orders not directly signed by Biden, because “the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally.”
Trump also warned of legal repercussions if Biden claims he had approved the documents.
Autopens have been employed by both Democratic and Republican US presidents when they are unable to physically sign documents. A 2005 Justice Department ruling affirmed their legality when authorized by the head of state.
Biden’s late-term exercise of clemency powers subsequently drew scrutiny after he issued a significant number of pardons and commutations. Critics suggested some decisions appeared rushed, while Trump argued they were illegitimate if signed via autopen without Biden’s direct oversight. The former president, however, has countered that he personally approved every action.
Legal experts observe that while a president can revoke a predecessor’s executive orders, there exists no mechanism to undo pardons once they have been granted.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has requested the Justice Department to investigate Biden’s autopen usage. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the matter is under review. The committee stated it could not locate documentation proving Biden had authorized the device for all actions it was used to sign.
Earlier this year, Trump replaced Biden’s official White House portrait with an image of an autopen.