The Department of Justice has intensified its investigation into former President Joe Biden’s alleged use of an autopen device to authorize major executive actions, with new leads pointing toward operations in both Delaware and Washington, D.C. Federal investigators are reportedly examining whether Biden personally reviewed or approved numerous documents—ranging from pardons to executive orders—that were signed during his presidency without his physical signature.
According to officials familiar with the inquiry, the probe was expanded after congressional investigators uncovered inconsistencies in signature authentication records maintained by White House staff. Sources said the DOJ is focusing on a small circle of aides and administrative personnel who may have overseen or facilitated the signing process while shielding Biden from direct participation in routine governmental approvals.
The investigation follows a scathing report by the House Oversight Committee alleging that dozens of presidential actions were executed using an autopen machine, potentially without Biden’s awareness or authorization. The report further claimed that senior aides exercised significant control over his schedule and public appearances amid concerns about his health, raising questions about the true extent of his involvement in daily executive functions.
Investigators are now reviewing communications between the White House Counsel’s Office and staff in Delaware, where many of the autopen records were reportedly stored. They are also examining whether specific directives were deliberately signed off remotely to maintain an appearance of normalcy within the administration.
White House officials have strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as politically driven and reaffirming that all presidential actions were personally approved by Biden. A spokesperson insisted the use of autopen technology is a longstanding and legal practice, employed by previous presidents for routine correspondence and time-sensitive executive paperwork.
Nonetheless, critics argue that the scope of the alleged misuse—if proven—could represent one of the most significant breaches of executive protocol in modern history. The Justice Department has not announced any formal charges but has confirmed that the investigation remains active, with potential interviews of former senior staff expected in the coming weeks.
The controversy has reignited broader debates about presidential transparency, the delegation of authority, and the accountability of those operating behind the scenes of the Oval Office.