In a dramatic escalation of his ongoing criticism of the previous administration, US President Donald Trump has declared all official documents signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, using an autopen device to be legally invalid. Trump made this proclamation on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday, local time.
Unprecedented Declaration on Truth Social
President Trump stated unequivocally that any and all documents, proclamations, executive orders, memorandums, or contracts signed via the autopen during Biden's tenure are "null, void, and of no further force or effect." He specifically addressed recipients of pardons or commutations, advising them that such documents have been "fully and completely terminated" and hold no legal weight.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Biden's use of the autopen. On Friday, 29 November, he claimed on Truth Social that approximately 92% of Biden's documents were signed with the device. Trump alleged that Biden's aides, whom he called "Radical Left Lunatics," operated the autopen without proper presidential approval, effectively taking the presidency away from Biden.
The Autopen and Historical Precedent
An autopen is a machine that replicates a person's signature with precision. It is a standard tool used by high-ranking officials, including presidents from both major US political parties, to manage the high volume of ceremonial and routine documents requiring a signature. As per reports from Reuters, its use for letters and proclamations is a long-established practice.
However, Trump and his MAGA supporters have propagated unfounded claims that Biden was unaware of the documents he was signing or that the use of the autopen itself invalidates the actions. There is no public information suggesting Biden used the autopen for signing pardons.
Focus on Hunter Biden's Pardon
A significant point of contention is the pardon Biden granted to his son, Hunter, before leaving office in January 2025. Hunter Biden had pleaded guilty to tax charges and was convicted for purchasing a firearm while being a user of illegal narcotics. President Biden defended the pardon, stating his son had been "singled out" and calling the charges a "miscarriage of justice." Biden also commuted sentences for several non-violent drug offenders.
Trump's latest move is seen as part of a broader pattern where he has repeatedly questioned the mental fitness of the former president, suggesting that key decisions were made by Biden's aides rather than Biden himself.
The declaration sets a controversial precedent and raises complex legal and constitutional questions about the validity of executive actions from a previous administration and the authority of a sitting president to unilaterally nullify them.
