Trump revoking Biden executive orders signed by autopen

President Donald Trump declared on Friday that he is revoking executive orders signed using President Joe Bidens autopen. Like his predecessors, including Trump himself, Biden occasionally employed an autopen for signing official papers. Republicans have alleged that Bidens aides used the device to bypass a president they claim is mentally declining.

Any document signed by Joe Biden via the autopen, which accounts for roughly 92% of them, is now null and void, Trump posted on Truth Social. I am canceling all executive orders and related actions that were not personally signed by Joe Biden, because those operating the autopen did so unlawfully.

Bidens team has not immediately commented, but the president has previously dismissed these allegations. In June, he stated: I made all the decisions during my presidency, including pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any claims to the contrary are false and ridiculous.

No official record indicates the exact number of documents Biden signed with an autopen. President Barack Obama first used the device, even signing pardons while on vacation. Biden also utilized the autopen during travel. In 2024, CNN reported that he signed a federal aviation funding extension using it to prevent a funding gap while on the West Coast.

Last month, House Republicans argued that executive actions signed via the autopen without verifiable written approval from Biden should be considered invalid and urged the Department of Justice to examine the issue. Trump added on Truth Social: If Joe Biden claims he was involved in the autopen process, he could face perjury charges. Perjury refers to lying under oath, though Biden has never testified under oath about autopen use. He has defended his usage of the device in past interviews, including with The New York Times.

Analysis: Trump’s Reversal on Executive Orders Signed with Autopen

Former President Donald Trump's recent declaration that he is revoking executive orders signed by President Joe Biden using an autopen raises important questions about the legality and validity of such actions. While autopen usage has been a long-standing practice by U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama and Donald Trump, the current controversy stems from Republican claims about Biden's cognitive health. These allegations suggest that the autopen may have been used as a tool to circumvent a president they argue is mentally declining.

Trump’s statement on Truth Social that "any document signed by Joe Biden via the autopen... is now null and void" signals a strong stance against the legitimacy of Biden's executive actions. The claim that Biden’s aides acted unlawfully is a bold accusation, but no official evidence has yet been presented to support the assertion that Biden himself was not involved in the decision-making process.

Biden’s team has not provided an immediate response to Trump’s remarks. However, Biden has consistently defended his use of the autopen, including during his time on the road. He has also dismissed claims that he was not directly involved in decision-making processes, stating that he personally made all the significant decisions during his presidency.

It’s important to note that the exact number of documents signed with the autopen remains unclear, and the practice is not without precedent. Autopen usage, while rare in terms of frequency, has been a tool for convenience during travel or vacation time, as seen under the Obama administration. Biden's use of the device, including during important moments like signing a federal aviation funding extension in 2024, was not unprecedented.

Despite the legal ambiguity surrounding the use of the autopen, the claim that Biden could face perjury charges for his involvement in the process seems to be a step too far. As of now, Biden has not made any sworn statements under oath regarding the autopen, making such accusations speculative at best. The real question is whether Trump’s actions will have any lasting impact on the validity of Biden's executive orders, or if this debate is merely a political maneuver.

Sources:

• Trump 'cancelling' Biden executive orders signed by autopen