Biden autopen controversy challenged as Trump vows reversals

Trump renews claims that Biden used an autopen for most executive orders, vowing to invalidate them despite legal experts dismissing the allegations.

United States President Donald Trump has renewed a controversial claim that the majority of executive orders issued by former President Joe Biden were signed using an autopen — a mechanical device that replicates signatures. Trump said he intends to void any orders he believes were not personally signed by Biden, despite the lack of legal grounding for such an action.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump alleged that “about 92 percent” of Biden’s executive actions were authorized through autopen signatures, asserting that those documents have “no force or effect.” Legal scholars, however, have repeatedly dismissed these arguments as baseless.

Trump Repeats Longstanding Narrative on Biden’s Age

Throughout Biden’s term, critics questioned whether his age — he left office at 82 — affected his decision-making capacity. Trump, now 79, has consistently amplified that narrative, suggesting that Biden was not fully involved in governing.

In his latest statement, Trump went further, warning that Biden could face perjury charges if he denies the autopen accusations. The president’s rhetoric aligns with his broader strategy of undermining Democratic leadership and framing their policies as unlawful.

A Historical and Common Practice in the White House

Autopens are not new in US politics. The devices have been used by administrations dating back to Thomas Jefferson, and modern presidents — including Trump — have used them for routine paperwork. The practice is legally accepted and widely considered necessary given the volume of documents requiring presidential signature.

Biden has previously rejected claims that staff members used the autopen without his approval. In a June statement, he insisted that he personally authorized all executive orders and policy decisions during his term.

Trump’s Previous Attempts to Nullify Biden-Era Decisions

This is not the first time Trump has attempted to retroactively dismiss Biden’s actions. Earlier in 2025, he tried to invalidate Biden’s pardons for members of the committee that investigated the January 6 attack. Legal experts immediately noted that US law does not require a specific method of signing for a pardon to be valid — in fact, a pardon does not even need to be physically signed.

A 2005 Department of Justice memo also clarifies that a president may use an autopen or direct a staff member to apply a signature on approved documents, reinforcing the legitimacy of the practice.

Age, Health, and Political Narratives

While Biden faced intense scrutiny over his mental sharpness — especially after a shaky debate performance in 2024 — Trump has also confronted questions about his own health and stamina. Recent media reports described moments where he appeared fatigued or drowsy during public events.

Trump dismissed those accounts, attacking journalists and asserting he passed his medical and cognitive evaluations “with flying colors.”

Analysis: Why Trump Is Reigniting the Autopen Issue

Trump’s renewed focus on autopen signatures appears to serve several political objectives:

• Delegitimizing Biden-era policies, making it easier to reverse them
• Reinforcing narratives about Biden’s age and capacity
• Motivating his base with claims of misconduct by political opponents
• Framing future legal or policy reversals as necessary corrections

However, constitutional scholars overwhelmingly agree that the president cannot unilaterally cancel past executive actions based on signature method alone.

What This Means Moving Forward

Trump’s latest declaration is likely to escalate partisan tensions and could spark legal challenges if he attempts to formally nullify Biden’s orders. For now, his statement functions more as a political message than a legally enforceable directive.

Still, the move highlights how debates over presidential authority, age, and legitimacy are shaping the political landscape in 2025 — with both Biden and Trump facing ongoing scrutiny as aging leaders navigating an increasingly polarized country.