Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is cancelling all documents— including pardons— that he claims were signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen, a mechanical device that reproduces signatures. The move is unprecedented, and legal scholars widely dismiss it as having no legitimate authority.
Autopen Use Not Legally Disqualifying, Experts Say
The autopen, used by multiple past presidents from both parties, allows precise mechanical replication of signatures for letters, ceremonial documents, and high-volume paperwork. Experts cited by PolitiFact say the U.S. Constitution does not require a president to personally hand-sign pardons or many other documents.
Federal law also does not provide any mechanism for a sitting president to revoke a predecessor’s pardons. It remains unclear whether Biden even used an autopen for pardons.
Trump’s Announcement
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote,“Anyone receiving ‘Pardons,’ ‘Commutations,’ or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect.”
Trump has repeatedly insinuated that autopen use suggests Biden was unaware of decisions made during his presidency—claims unsupported by evidence.
