President Donald Trump has raised new allegations against the Biden administration, claiming that several presidential pardons issued under President Joe Biden could be legally void due to their use of an autopen signature.
Speaking to reporters, Trump argued that the use of an autopen—an automated device used to replicate a signature—on official pardon documents raises serious constitutional concerns. According to Trump, the Constitution requires the president’s personal approval and signature on such acts of clemency, and a mechanical reproduction fails to meet that standard.
The accusation comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the Biden administration’s use of the autopen for signing various executive actions, including legislation and official orders. Trump insisted that the pardons lacking Biden’s physical signature should be reviewed and potentially invalidated.
While the White House has not issued a direct response to Trump’s latest claims, officials have previously defended the use of the autopen, describing it as a longstanding and legal practice authorized by the president.
Trump’s remarks have triggered renewed scrutiny over the practice, with some legal experts arguing that the validity of pardons could be challenged if they were not personally signed. Others, however, maintain that the president’s authorization of autopen use is sufficient under current legal interpretations.
The controversy adds another layer of political tension as the 2024 election season intensifies, with Trump continuing to challenge the legitimacy of several Biden administration actions.