On Friday, President Donald Trump took decisive action to nullify a series of executive orders and documents from the preceding administration that were signed via autopen technology. President Trump described these practices as illegitimate, asserting they were a facade to conceal former Vice President Joe Biden's alleged incapacity to fulfill presidential duties.
The announcement came through President Trump's Truth Social account, where he pronounced that the autopen-signed documents by Biden hold no legitimacy and should be stripped of any authority going forward. President Trump claimed that the autopen was utilized for approximately "92 percent" of Biden's signatures, suggesting that Biden's cognitive state prevented him from personally overseeing the autopen's use, a requirement for its lawful operation.
This move by President Trump has amplified an ongoing controversy regarding the use of autopen under Biden's administration. Claims have surfaced that aides, allegedly exploiting Biden's cognitive challenges, effectively governed without his direct involvement. President Trump has warned that individuals asserting Biden's approval of autopen usage could face perjury charges, as he believes such an approval never occurred.
The issue has prompted congressional inquiries, with Republicans and the current administration reviewing records linked to Biden's signing practices. Over one million documents from Biden's tenure are under examination to ascertain who held the reins of power during that period.
The signature of a president is a symbol of authority and commitment, and the Trump administration has emphasized the importance of restoring integrity to this process. Reports from July detailed an extensive review of documents from Biden's presidency, seeking transparency regarding the actual control of executive actions.
The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project has found that nearly all documents bearing Biden's name, except for his resignation from the 2024 presidential race, likely bear the mark of an autopen. This revelation has sparked renewed scrutiny over Biden's mental capacity during his time in office and the extent of his involvement in White House operations.
In the twilight of his term, Biden issued a series of pardons, some of which appeared preemptive, to figures he anticipated might face investigations by the Trump Justice Department. Notable recipients included Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6 Committee, whom Biden defended against what he described as "political targeting." These actions, intertwined with the autopen scandal, have been cited by Trump officials as evidence of a presidency managed by staff rather than Biden himself.
The use of an autopen, while permissible in certain contexts, has its detractors who argue that Biden's application of the device overstepped legal and ethical boundaries due to the alleged lack of proper oversight. The unfolding of events has escalated the debate over the legitimacy of executive actions conducted without the explicit, personal approval of the President.
