WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump announced that all documents and executive actions signed by President Joe Biden using an autopen are “hereby terminated” and “of no further force or effect,” in a statement shared on social media.
The president claimed that approximately 92 percent of documents issued during the Biden administration were signed using the autopen, a mechanical signature device commonly used by presidents for correspondence and ceremonial items. Trump stated that the device would no longer be permitted for official government use unless explicitly authorized by him.
In his post, Trump said, “Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the Autopen… is hereby terminated,” adding that all executive orders and actions not directly signed by Biden himself would be canceled. He further alleged that individuals operating the autopen “did so illegally” and suggested that Biden could face perjury charges if he claimed involvement in the signing process.
Autopen use sparks constitutional and legal debate
The announcement immediately raised questions among legal scholars and political observers about the implications of voiding actions based on autopen use. While the autopen has been employed by several presidents for decades, its use for official presidential documents has periodically drawn scrutiny over constitutional interpretations of the president’s signature authority.
Biden’s administration used the autopen an overwhelmingly large number of times than most recent presidents.
Past administrations, including those of Presidents Obama and Bush, have relied on the autopen for routine documents, though formal executive orders and significant policy directives were typically signed in person.
Administration moves to review executive actions
The White House did not provide an immediate list of which Biden-era documents or executive orders would be nullified, but sources within the administration indicated a review is underway to identify those executed via autopen.
The move is expected to trigger administrative and legal challenges, particularly if agencies are directed to suspend or reverse policies enacted during the previous administration.
Trump’s declaration marks one of his most sweeping reversals of Biden-era policy to date, signaling a broader effort to dismantle decisions made between 2021 and 2025.