US President Donald Trump has carried out his promise to invalidate all documents, including executive orders, contracts, and legal pardons, that were signed by autopen during the Biden administration. Trump, aged 79, made the announcement via his personal social media platform on Wednesday, December 3.
In his statement, the 47th US president declared that all documents signed by the so-called ‘AUTOPEN’ under President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s administration are now null and void. He specifically mentioned that any pardons, commutations, or other legal documents signed using the autopen are now terminated and hold no legal weight.
Trump showcased what he referred to as the “Biden autopen” during a recent visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, displaying it prominently in the White House. Additionally, according to The Mirror US, the Trump administration replaced Biden’s portrait in the Presidential Walk of Fame near the Oval Office with an image of an autopen.
Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons, including for his son Hunter and his brother James, to shield them from potential future legal troubles. These pardons also extended to members of Congress on the January 6th investigation committee and figures like Anthony Fauci, the Director of Infectious Diseases, among others.
Trump’s recent action to nullify autopen-signed documents is part of his ongoing campaign to challenge the legitimacy of the Biden administration post the 2020 election. He has persistently alleged election fraud in his defeat and is now attempting to erase certain decisions made during Biden’s tenure.
The move by Trump has been met with approval from fellow Republicans, with many expressing support on social media platforms. The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank that initiated the Oversight Project to monitor the Biden administration, thanked Trump for acknowledging their concerns and taking action.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican congressman, praised Trump for invalidating Biden’s autopen actions. Meanwhile, Biden has refuted claims that his team acted without his knowledge in granting pardons, affirming that he personally signed each document.
Overall, Trump’s decision to cancel autopen-signed documents is a continuation of his efforts to challenge the Biden administration and its actions, with ongoing support from his Republican allies.