In a move that’s sending shockwaves through Washington, former President Donald Trump has launched a high-profile investigation into Joe Biden’s use of the autopen—a mechanical device that replicates a person’s signature—during his time in the Oval Office. Trump’s team is calling it “the biggest political scandal in American history,” while Biden’s camp is dismissing the uproar as a partisan distraction.
The Autopen Controversy: What’s Really at Stake?
The heart of the controversy centers on whether Biden’s aides used the autopen to sign major executive actions—ranging from pardons to judicial appointments—without his direct involvement. Trump’s June 4 memorandum ordered a formal probe into the matter, questioning the legality and legitimacy of over 1,200 presidential documents allegedly signed with the device.
Trump’s allegations go further, claiming that Biden’s advisors concealed his cognitive decline and used the autopen to “validate key executive actions” without his knowledge. He’s even suggested that preemptive pardons for members of the Jan. 6 congressional committee, signed by autopen, should be considered void.
House Oversight Chair James Comer has joined the fray, launching a parallel investigation and threatening to subpoena Biden and his former aides if necessary.
Biden Fires Back: “Ridiculous and False”
President Biden has forcefully rejected the accusations, calling them “ridiculous and false.” In a statement released Wednesday, he insisted, “I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.” He characterized the investigation as a political distraction and reaffirmed his role in all major decisions.
Biden’s defenders point to his May 2025 interview on ABC’s
The View, where he dismissed claims that his aides acted without his consent, reiterating that he was fully involved in all major policy decisions.
The Evidence: Autopen Signatures on Official Documents
A recent report by the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project claims that nearly all of Biden’s official documents—except for his announcement dropping out of the 2024 race—bear the same autopen signature. The group posted side-by-side images of executive orders and other documents, highlighting the identical mechanical signature, which they argue raises questions about who was truly in control of the presidency.
The White House has acknowledged that the autopen was used for the “vast majority” of Biden’s executive actions, but maintains that this is a longstanding, legal practice for efficiency and continuity.
Why Does the Autopen Matter?
The autopen, while not new to Washington, has always been a lightning rod for controversy. Originally designed to speed up the signing of routine documents, its use for major executive actions has sparked debate about transparency, authenticity, and the very nature of presidential authority.
A Cornell University study found that while the autopen makes communication faster, it can also “instill mistrust and reduce the perceived value of the signed item”. Critics argue that overreliance on the device could erode public trust in government, especially if it’s used to mask a leader’s absence or incapacity.
What Happens Next?
With Trump and congressional Republicans vowing to dig deeper, and Biden’s team standing firm, the autopen scandal is poised to dominate headlines in the coming weeks. Expect subpoenas, televised hearings, and plenty of political theater as both sides battle for control of the narrative.
For everyday Americans, the controversy raises bigger questions: Who really wields power in the White House? And in an age of automation, what does a signature—even the president’s—really mean?
Sources
1. Trump replaces Biden's portrait with photo of autopen signature
2. Trump probes Biden's autopen use, questions presidential authority
3. Reviewing Certain Presidential Actions - The White House
4. Biden used same autopen signature on official docs ... - Fox News
5. Autopen shows perils of automation in communications
