Former President Donald Trump has declared his intention to revoke executive orders signed by President Joe Biden that were executed using an autopen, a machine designed for automating signatures. Trump made these assertions on Truth Social, where he alleged that Biden has signed approximately 92 percent of documents with this device.
Trump’s Claims on Biden and the Autopen
Trump criticized Biden’s reliance on the autopen, asserting that the machine cannot be utilized without explicit approval from the sitting president. He stated, “I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden.” He framed this stance within a narrative suggesting that Biden was not involved in the process, which could lead to potential legal ramifications for the current president, including charges of perjury.
A Brief History of the Autopen
The autopen has a storied history in the American presidency, having been invented in 1803 and first used by Thomas Jefferson. Despite its long-standing presence in the Oval Office, Trump has taken a particular interest in the allegations against Biden’s use of the mechanism.
- Autopen Invention Year: 1803
- First Use by: Thomas Jefferson
- Trump’s Claim: Biden signed 92 percent of documents using autopen
Previous Controversies Regarding Executive Orders
Earlier this year, Trump attempted to challenge Biden’s significant issuance of pardons and commutations, claiming these actions were illegitimate due to the involvement of the autopen. He described the pardons as “VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT.” In response, Biden denounced these claims, referring to Trump and his supporters as “liars” and asserting his direct involvement in all clemency decisions.
Impact on Political Discourse
The ongoing dialogue surrounding the autopen highlights the contentious relationship between Trump and Biden. For his part, Biden has emphasized the importance of focusing on substantive issues rather than what he considers distractions created by Trump’s rhetoric.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Trump’s commitment to invalidating Biden’s autopen-signed orders signals a potential area of concern for the current administration, especially regarding the legitimacy of his executive actions.
