Joe Biden’s use of an autopen to authorize major decisions is now under scrutiny, as the White House and Congress investigate whether unelected staffers were making key decisions on his behalf.
Key Facts:
- The White House is reviewing over 27,000 records from the National Archives related to Biden’s autopen use, with an estimated 1 million documents expected to be examined.
- The investigation is led by the White House Counsel’s Office in coordination with the DOJ, and runs parallel to a congressional probe.
- Biden reportedly used the autopen to sign significant documents, including pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the January 6 Committee.
- Trump has ordered his DOJ to investigate whether Biden’s autopen usage indicates a decline in his mental capacity or a delegation of presidential powers.
- A new bill, the “BIDEN Act,” aims to prohibit presidents from using an autopen to sign laws, executive orders, and pardons.
The Rest of The Story:
The Biden administration is under internal and external scrutiny over the president’s use of an autopen—a machine that mimics a signature—to authorize major decisions during his time in office.
The White House Counsel’s Office, with DOJ support, is conducting an extensive review of records to determine whether Biden personally approved the actions carried out in his name.
A senior official told Fox News Digital that “the president’s signature is one of the most important signatures in the world,” and that any use of an autopen should only occur under direct presidential instruction.
The review reportedly focuses on determining whether there were clear safeguards to prevent unauthorized use.
Biden defended his use of the autopen in a New York Times interview, claiming, “I made every decision on my own.”
Yet, the Times noted Biden did not personally review each name for his categorical pardons, delegating that responsibility to his aides.
🚨 TRUMP: “I guarantee Biden knew NOTHING about the pardons signed by the autopen.”
“The autopen is maybe one of the biggest scandals that we've had in 50-100 years.”
The “pardons” are NULL AND VOID!
Buckle up, Schiff, Fauci, and Cheney. pic.twitter.com/5fw6GpXbrQ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 14, 2025
Commentary:
The use of an autopen to approve pardons, executive orders, and major policy decisions is not a minor issue.
It raises real concerns about who was exercising presidential authority during Biden’s term.
A machine, operated by staff, should never replace the personal approval of the elected leader.
Autopens might be suitable for holiday greetings or ceremonial correspondence, but never for laws, clemency, or official directives. That crosses a line.
Every president, no matter their capacity, should be held to the standard of personal accountability when executing the duties of the office.
The fact that Biden only signed one pardon—his son Hunter’s—by hand while using the autopen for everyone else speaks volumes.
Americans deserve to know if unelected staffers wielded power that only the president is supposed to hold.
Trump’s move to have the DOJ investigate adds weight to the matter.
Unlike Congress, which is limited in its reach, the current White House has full access to the records of the prior administration.
That puts Trump in a unique position to uncover the truth.
The congressional response is also appropriate. Rep. McDowell’s “BIDEN Act” seeks to preserve the integrity of presidential authority.
If passed, it would ensure no future president can delegate essential duties to staffers or machines.
Even if Biden verbally authorized broad criteria for pardons, the law and the Constitution expect direct, personal action—not mechanized signatures facilitated by unnamed aides. That standard must be restored.
The deeper issue is about trust and the chain of command. Did Biden knowingly hand off presidential powers? Or was he so diminished that others stepped in without proper legal authority?
Either answer is unacceptable.
The American people voted for a president—not a behind-the-scenes group of bureaucrats empowered by an autopen.
That’s what makes this investigation essential.
The Bottom Line:
An ongoing investigation is examining whether former President Biden used an autopen to delegate core presidential decisions to unelected staffers.
Both the White House and Congress are seeking answers, with new legislation aiming to prevent misuse in the future.
The findings could reveal whether a sitting president’s power was quietly passed to anonymous staff using a machine—an outcome that would shake public confidence in presidential leadership.
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