US President Donald Trump has made good on his promise to revoke all documents, including executive orders, contracts, and legal pardons, that were signed using an autopen during the Biden administration. Trump, aged 79, announced this decision on his personal social media platform on Wednesday, December 3.
In a statement on Truth Social, the 47th US president declared, “Any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts signed via the unauthorized ‘AUTOPEN’ during the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Administration are now null and void.”
He also emphasized that any pardons, commutations, or legal documents signed in this manner have been invalidated and hold no legal weight. Trump concluded the announcement by thanking everyone for their attention to the matter.
During a recent visit from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump exhibited the “Biden autopen,” prominently showcasing it in the White House. Additionally, as reported by The Mirror US, the Trump administration replaced Biden’s portrait in the Presidential Walk of Fame near the Oval Office with an image of an autopen.
On the day of Trump’s departure from the White House, former President Joe Biden issued several preemptive pardons to shield his family members, including his son Hunter and brother James, from potential future legal actions related to ongoing investigations. Biden also granted pardons to members of Congress involved in the January 6th investigation committee, Anthony Fauci, and others whom he believed could be targeted for retribution by Trump upon his return to office.
Trump’s recent action to nullify autopen-signed documents aligns with his repeated vows to address what he refers to as “the entire Biden crime family” and its associates. Trump alleged that decisions, especially on presidential pardons, were made by individuals other than Biden due to his alleged inability to comprehend or awareness of the orders being carried out on his behalf.
This move is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to discredit the Biden administration following his defeat in the 2020 election. Trump continues to assert baseless claims of election fraud contributing to his loss, and his latest action regarding autopen-signed documents appears to be an attempt to erase his electoral defeat from history.
The cancellation of autopen-signed files by Trump has garnered praise from his Republican allies, who have expressed their support on various social media platforms. The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, acknowledged Trump for taking action based on their Autopen investigation. Similarly, GOP-led House Oversight committee chair James Comer lauded Trump’s decision to invalidate President Biden’s autopen actions.
Despite allegations that his aides acted without his knowledge, Biden affirmed in an interview with the New York Times that he personally signed all the pardons and commutations issued in the final days of his presidency. Biden dismissed claims of incapacity, labeling those making such allegations as “liars.”
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