On Friday, Donald Trump stated that he intends to reverse all measures signed by Joe Biden using an autopen. Trump has announced plans to cancel the majority of Biden’s executive orders.
The autopen, an automated signature device, has been utilized by presidents in the White House for many decades. Here’s an explanation of what it is, details about Biden’s use of it, and the reasons behind Trump’s frequent references to it.
What is an autopen?
Patented in the U.S. in 1803, the autopen is a robotic machine that reproduces a person’s signature with real ink, commonly employed for signing large quantities of documents.
According to a 2005 Justice Department guideline, the president is not required to physically sign a bill for it to become law. Instead, the president can authorize a subordinate to sign on their behalf using an autopen.
Have other presidents used it?
Yes, many presidents have used the autopen, starting with Thomas Jefferson, who used an early version. Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, and Lyndon B. Johnson are also rumored or known to have used it, with Johnson even allowing it to be photographed in the White House. Other users include John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama, who signed legislation like the Patriot Act and an appropriations bill with it while abroad.
In March, Trump mentioned that he too had used the autopen for what he called “very unimportant papers.”
What do we know about Biden’s use of the autopen?
Trump has alleged on his Truth Social platform that the autopen was operated without Biden’s approval, rendering about 92% of his executive orders invalid. However, there is no evidence to support the extent of Biden’s autopen usage.
In October, a Republican-led oversight committee released a report making broad claims about Biden’s autopen use but provided no concrete proof that aides acted without his knowledge or that he was unaware of policies, pardons, or orders signed in his name. Democrats on the committee dismissed the report as a “sham.”
Biden has defended his use of the autopen, telling the New York Times in March that he made every decision and directed staff to use it for clemency warrants due to the large number of people involved.
Why does Trump keep bringing this up?
Trump has frequently targeted Biden’s autopen use as part of his attacks. In March, he claimed without evidence that Biden’s pardons were invalid because they were signed with an autopen. Throughout his campaign and presidency, Trump has also repeatedly questioned Biden’s cognitive abilities, suggesting they impair his duties.
Earlier this year, Trump displayed a photo of an autopen instead of Biden in the White House’s presidential gallery.
The autopen issue has been promoted by the Oversight Project, an offshoot of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank aligned with Trump. They released a report on Biden’s autopen use, asserting that “whoever controlled the autopen controlled the presidency.” However, the report contained no evidence of aides conspiring to enact policies without Biden’s approval.
Following Trump’s announcement on Friday, the Oversight Project praised the move.He stated: “We will work with the relevant authorities to determine which fraudulent documents are still considered legally valid.”
Can Trump actually carry out his threats? It’s uncertain how Trump intends to reverse most of Biden’s decisions, though presidents are legally permitted to revoke executive orders made by their predecessors. However, legal experts note that the president lacks the power to overturn pardons granted by a former president, as this authority is defined by the Constitution.
Lucy Campbell contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about autopens and why Donald Trump frequently mentions them designed with clear questions and direct answers
Basic Questions
1 What is an autopen
An autopen is a machine that automatically signs a persons signature Its programmed with a copy of their real signature and can sign documents letters or books without them being physically present
2 Why does Trump keep mentioning the autopen
Trump often brings up the autopen to question the authenticity of documents signed by his political opponents particularly President Joe Biden He suggests its use is a sign of laziness deception or a lack of personal involvement
3 Is using an autopen legal
Yes in many cases it is legally binding Laws and regulations in the US recognize electronic signatures which can include those made by an autopen as valid for many official government documents
4 Is an autopen the same as a forgery
No A forgery is an unauthorized imitation of a signature intended to deceive An autopen is an authorized use of a signature where the person whose signature it is has approved the machine to sign on their behalf
Deeper Questions
5 What are the main benefits of using an autopen
The primary benefits are efficiency and scale It allows a busy public figure to sign thousands of letters awards or official documents quickly ensuring a timely response and maintaining a personal touch without requiring hours of manual signing
6 Has Trump ever used an autopen himself
Yes During his presidency the Trump administration acknowledged using an autopen to sign some correspondence and even a bill into law which sparked debate at the time about its appropriateness for legislation
7 Whats a common criticism of autopens
The biggest criticism is the lack of personal touch and authenticity Critics argue that for important documentslike laws or condolence letters to military familiesa real signature shows genuine care and direct involvement
8 Are there rules about what an autopen can be used for
There is no single universal rule Different government agencies and offices have their own internal policies For example while routine correspondence is often signed by machine most agree that highly sensitive documents or formal pardons should receive a manual signature
