Trump Vows to Nullify Biden Executive Orders Signed with Autopen, Igniting Legal Debate
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A move fraught with legal uncertainty, former President Donald Trump has declared his intention to terminate executive orders signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, using an autopen – a device that mechanically replicates a signature. This action revives Trump’s longstanding criticisms of Biden’s pardons issued at the close of his term and fuels accusations of diminished cognitive capacity.
Trump announced on social media that “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.” He further stated, “I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally.”
The Autopen Controversy and Claims of Incapacity
The use of autopens by presidents is not unprecedented. However, Trump has consistently framed Biden’s reliance on the device as evidence of mental incapacitation and a lack of control within the White House. An autopen is a mechanical device designed to automatically reproduce a signature, often used to expedite the signing of routine documents. Trump alleges that the widespread use of this technology during Biden’s presidency – reportedly around 92% of documents – indicates a serious issue with the former president’s ability to fulfill his duties.
Legal Experts Weigh In
The legality of Trump’s planned action is being debated by legal scholars. A conservative legal commentator noted on social media that Trump possesses the authority to revoke executive orders regardless of whether Biden personally signed them. However, the same freedom does not extend to other official actions, such as bills enacted by Congress or pardons, that were directed to be signed via autopen.
The US Justice Department previously affirmed in 2005 that a president is not required to physically sign legislation and can authorize an official to affix their signature, even through the use of an autopen. This practice was first employed by President Barack Obama in 2011 while he was traveling in Europe.
Biden’s Final Pardons and Trump’s Response
In the waning days of his administration, Biden issued pardons to individuals previously targeted by Trump, including his own son, politicians who investigated Trump, a military general who publicly criticized Trump, and the nation’s leading COVID-19 expert. These pardons were a clear signal of a shift in priorities and a rebuke of Trump’s previous actions.
The dispute over the autopen’s use adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political rivalry between Trump, 79, and Biden, 82, who left office in January 2025. Trump is scheduled to leave office in January 2029, and this latest move signals his continued intent to challenge the legitimacy of his predecessor’s actions and maintain a prominent role in the political landscape.
