UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump has just declared all documents signed by President Joe Biden using an autopen to be “terminated, and of no further force or effect.” This unprecedented move, announced on Friday via Truth Social, ignites a legal firestorm with potentially significant ramifications for numerous executive actions and pardons.
Trump’s controversial assertion claims that a staggering 92 percent of Biden’s documents were signed with the autopen, a device used for signing official papers when the president is unavailable. He alleges that this practice is illegal without explicit presidential approval, stating that “Radical Left Lunatics” operated the autopen without Biden’s consent. Trump warned that if Biden disputes this claim, he could face charges of perjury.
The basis for Trump’s dramatic claim stems from a report by the House Oversight Committee, which examined thousands of documents and compared signatures. However, Democrats quickly dismissed this report as a “political diversion,” noting that it lacked independent verification and that courts have historically upheld autopen signatures, including those of former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
While it is acknowledged that Biden has utilized the autopen more frequently than his predecessors, his administration insists that it was always used with his direct authorization. The House report did not provide any evidence that staffers acted beyond that authority.
This declaration could have immediate consequences for Biden’s executive orders, many of which address critical issues like reproductive rights, climate policy, and technology regulation. If Trump’s declaration withstands legal scrutiny, it could erase vital actions taken during Biden’s presidency.
Moreover, attempting to invalidate Biden’s pardons would almost certainly lead to a Supreme Court showdown. Under Article II of the Constitution, presidential pardons are deemed final, and legal precedent suggests that one president cannot revoke another’s pardons.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on the legal response from Biden’s team and the implications for ongoing governance. This situation could reshape the political landscape as both parties brace for a contentious legal battle that is poised to define the limits of presidential power in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story as it continues to develop.
