Questions Surround Biden’s Use of Autopen

Who really operated the country during Joe Biden’s presidency? This question has lingered among conservative critics since before Donald Trump took office in January. Investigations into Biden’s potential use of autopens for signing pardons and other documents have only intensified this skepticism.

A tweet from Mike Howell, president of the Surveillance Project, went viral, stating, “the person who controlled the autopen managed the presidency.” Howell featured in a recent Fox Nation special titled “Auto Pen President,” where he delved into this topic further.

“The autopen survey revealed how the White House could function without the president,” he noted.

The special investigates various claims within conservative circles that question Biden’s awareness of actions taken in his name.

The White House is currently reviewing Biden’s autopen use amid broader investigations about competence and age.

It’s often said that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” but one wonders if there’s any pen more powerful than that of the U.S. president. A president’s signature can grant freedom to some, alter sentences, and influence legislation. Yet, many, including Trump, challenge the legitimacy of Biden’s signatures, citing suspicions about his use of autopen technology.

While autopens have been around for decades, Trump asserts that their application should not extend to critical presidential tasks, suggesting they are usually only for less significant matters, like responding to letters.

Howell’s team collected signatures attributed to Biden and noticed something odd when the documents were reviewed.

Reports indicate that Biden’s Chief of Staff authorized the last-minute use of the autopen for pardons.

Upon examining the signatures, Howell remarked, “I realized this was a copy-and-pasted signature. This is not the human hand signing these things.” This raised questions about legality, considering that the Constitution mandates the president’s actual signature for legal enactments.

However, a 2005 ruling from the Department of Justice during George W. Bush’s presidency complicated things, as it concluded that a president could legally use an autopen to sign bills and documents.

Biden defends his controversial use of autopens during significant decisions, stating in an interview with the New York Times that “lots of people” are involved.

While former President Obama was the first to utilize an autopen for signing legislation in 2011, concerns about Biden’s cognitive health continue to spark debate. Biden firmly denied any suggestion that he was not making critical decisions during his presidency.

In response to the investigation into his autopen use, Biden stated, “Let me be clear: I made decisions during the presidency, including pardons, executive orders, laws, and declarations.” He dismissed the allegations as distractions from Trump and other Republicans aimed at undermining essential programs like Medicaid and pushing harmful legislation that raises costs for American families.