A recent investigation has raised concerns about the legitimacy of several executive orders (EOs) related to climate policy under President Biden's administration. According to a report from the energy-focused nonprofit Power the Future, there is no public record of Biden discussing or announcing eight significant EOs that have drastically changed the United States' energy landscape. The report coincides with allegations that a Democratic senator controlled the White House's autopen during Biden's presidency—casting doubt on who was really making presidential decisions.
The allegations surfaced after David Sacks, who served as President Donald Trump's AI advisor, spoke to Fox News host Jesse Watters. Sacks named Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as the individual allegedly controlling the autopen, which he claims was used to sign numerous executive orders without Biden's direct involvement. This revelation has prompted questions about the actual influence Warren may have exerted over the administration's environmental agenda.
Power the Future's investigation scrutinized eight executive actions that significantly altered the nation's approach to energy production and climate policy. The research indicated that Biden had never publicly addressed these policies, including in press conferences, speeches, or any video statements. This lack of public discourse has led to speculation about who was truly behind these transformative decisions.
Among the EOs in question is a directive granting federal authority to lease public lands for AI data centers powered by renewable energy. Another order, issued in January 2025, removed over 625 million acres of the Outer Continental Shelf from future oil and gas leasing opportunities. Additionally, a March 2023 executive order prohibited oil drilling in Arctic regions, effectively eliminating a considerable source of domestic energy production.
The Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project previously analyzed Biden's presidential documents and found that nearly all documents bearing his signature utilized identical autopen technology. The only exception appeared to be the letter announcing Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, suggesting a different signature. This has led to the assertion that "whoever controlled the autopen controlled the presidency."
Power the Future's report also highlights the human impact of these policies, emphasizing the job losses experienced by energy workers across the nation. The nonprofit has called for accountability, asking pointedly, "what did Joe Biden know, and when did he know it?"
Former President Trump weighed in on the controversy during a Department of Justice address, criticizing Biden's presidency and questioning the legal validity of autopen-signed documents. Trump emphasized his administration's refraining from autopen use for executive orders, deeming it "disrespectful to the office."
The allegations of autopen use and Biden's purported lack of involvement in critical climate EOs have raised significant legal and ethical questions. As the situation unfolds, there is a growing demand for clarity and accountability regarding the true authors of policies that have reshaped America's approach to energy and the environment.
