Bold claim: Trump says he’s voiding every document signed by Biden using an autopen, including pardons, in an extraordinary move that many legal experts view as a flimsy pretext to overturn a sitting predecessor’s actions.
Trump’s assertion centers on the autopen, a device that accurately reproduces a person’s signature for high-volume or ceremonial documents. Presidents from both major parties have used such devices to sign letters and proclamations without physically signing each page.
Legal scholars broadly agree that the Constitution does not require a president to personally sign most documents—such as pardons—for them to be legally effective. Similarly, there is no federal mechanism to overturn a previous president’s pardon. Despite this, Trump and his supporters have leveled a range of claims alleging that Biden’s autopen use invalidated his actions or implied a lack of full awareness. It remains unclear whether Biden used an autopen for pardons.
Trump stated on Truth Social, “Anyone receiving ‘Pardons,’ ‘Commutations,’ or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect.”
Earlier this year, Biden issued several pardons, including for family members he said he sought to shield from politically motivated investigations, and he also commuted sentences for nonviolent drug offenses. Trump’s effort to nullify these actions would not affect the pardon of Hunter Biden, reportedly because Hunter’s pardon involved a pen-signing process. Fox News notes this distinction and also speculates that the move could impact Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Among Biden’s other notable pardons were retired General Mark Milley, members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack, and former Republican representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
Trump’s behavior reflects a pattern of challenging Biden’s conduct and ownership of executive actions. In response, Biden and his former aides have consistently denied allegations of diminished involvement, emphasizing the president’s active role in governance. Trump’s ongoing criticisms continue to fuel controversy and invite debate about presidential authority, the use of autopens, and the limits of post-presidency oversight.
