Trump’s Claims About Biden’s Autopen Signatures
On Friday, former President Trump asserted that he would nullify any documents signed by President Biden using an autopen, claiming these documents hold no validity. He even threatened to pursue perjury charges against Biden if his aides suggested they were acting under his orders during the process.
Trump, at 79, has persistently portrayed Biden, who is 83, as being absent during his presidency, insinuating that his unelected team is managing the country without proper authorization. He stated, “Any documents signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with an autopen (which is about 92% of them) are hereby terminated and have no further force or effect. No autopen use is authorized unless specifically sanctioned by the President of the United States.”
The former President characterized those around Biden as “radical left lunatics” who, he claimed, essentially stole the presidency from him. He emphasized that all executive orders not personally signed by Biden are invalid, saying, “Joe Biden was not involved in the AutoPen process. If he said he was, he would be charged with perjury. Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention!”
Trump has already rescinded several of Biden’s executive orders and suggested that many pardons might not be legitimate. However, Biden has previously indicated in a New York Times interview that he consented to the use of his name in some late-term pardons, which adds an interesting layer to this ongoing dispute.
It’s worth noting that autopen signatures can carry full legal weight as long as they are executed under the president’s direction. This practice has been utilized by many U.S. presidents for various documents over the years, from routine letters to more significant legislative actions.
A recent investigation led by House Republicans into Biden’s use of autopens found no definitive evidence suggesting that his aides acted without his consent. However, it did imply that he may not have had frequent interactions with key officials in the West Wing, highlighting some internal communication issues regarding instructions for end-of-term pardons.
A spokesperson for Biden opted not to comment on the situation.
