In a recent development, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared all pardons granted by his successor, Joe Biden, null and void. Trump has cast doubt on the legitimacy of these pardons, suggesting that Biden utilized an autopen to sign them. The implication is that Biden may not have directly authorized these decisions.
Understanding the Autopen
An autopen is a mechanical device designed to reproduce a person’s signature automatically. This tool is commonly employed by public figures, including politicians and business leaders, allowing for convenient signing of multiple documents without their immediate involvement.
Trump’s Allegations on Truth Social
On March 17, Trump took to Truth Social to make his claims, stating:
“The ‘Pardons’… Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT.”
He further suggested that Biden either lacked knowledge of the pardons or did not consent to them, hinting at possible misconduct by those involved in the signing process. Trump emphasized:
“Because of the fact that they were done by Autopen. In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them!”
The Role of Autopen in Official Signatures
Autopens are widely used not only in politics but also in business and entertainment for signing numerous documents. By capturing a person’s signature digitally, the autopen can replicate it almost perfectly on paper through mechanical means.
From executive orders to contracts and various forms of official correspondence, U.S. presidents frequently rely on autopen systems. This practice enables efficient management of the extensive volume of documents that require presidential approval.
Historical Context of Autopen Usage
Historically, the autopen has been utilized by several past presidents. For instance, according to a report from ABC News dated January 3, 2013, former President Barack Obama authorized the use of an autopen during his travels in France to extend specific Patriot Act provisions. He also employed the device while vacationing in Hawaii to sign tax-related documents on the same day.
More recently, claims have surfaced suggesting that Biden similarly used an autopen for his pardons. Trump reiterated this on March 17, stating:
“The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden. He knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime.”
He added:
“Therefore, those on the Unselect Committee, who destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two-year Witch Hunt of me, and many other innocent people, should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level.”
Allegations Sparked by Recent Reports
Trump’s comments came after the release of a study by the Oversight Project—a conservative research organization—which asserted that Biden used an autopen for nearly all official documents during his presidency. They announced on social media:
“We gathered every document we could find with Biden’s signature over the course of his presidency. All used the same autopen signature except for the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year.”
As of now, President Biden has not publicly addressed these allegations regarding the legitimacy of his pardons.