President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that any executive order, memorandum, or federal directive signed by Joe Biden using an autopen device is now “terminated.” The declaration, delivered through a sharp and direct Truth Social post, has already triggered intense debate inside Washington’s political and legal circles.
Trump claimed that nearly “92%” of Biden’s official actions were completed using a mechanical signature instead of a personal one. While this figure has not been independently verified, the allegation immediately raised concerns among legal scholars and former government officials.
In his post, Trump further alleged that Biden “was not involved in the Autopen process” and accused unnamed staff members of acting illegally. Autopen devices — mechanical signature tools approved for limited presidential use — have been used by several past presidents, including Barack Obama and George W. Bush, mainly for routine or ceremonial documents. Their use for executive orders, however, remains a legally grey area, and no court has ever invalidated an order solely due to autopen use.
Experts Warn of Serious Legal Complications
Constitutional experts told U.S. networks on Friday that Trump’s announcement could prompt immediate challenges from federal agencies, employees, and private-sector groups affected by Biden-era directives.
A former Justice Department official emphasized that the validity of executive orders usually depends on presidential intent and lawful delegation, not the physical method of signing.
“If Biden authorised the documents, the mechanism of signature is irrelevant,” the official told NBC’s legal team, warning that Trump’s move may “collide head-on with decades of executive-branch precedent.”
The White House has not specified which agencies received Trump’s cancellation directive, and several departments are reportedly seeking urgent legal guidance. According to early reporting from the Washington Post, senior civil servants worry that invalidating Biden-era actions — including regulatory updates, administrative waivers, and defense-related authorizations — could create sudden gaps in ongoing federal programs.
Trump Raises Perjury Threat, Biden Allies Respond
Trump also warned that Biden could face perjury charges if he claims personal involvement in the autopen process.
Within hours, Biden-aligned aides condemned the declaration as “political theatre,” insisting that autopen use during Biden’s presidency was transparent and legally permitted.
Political analysts say the dispute is likely to escalate quickly and may end up before federal courts, potentially becoming one of the most consequential constitutional battles of Trump’s presidency.
