The US president claims most of the directives issued during his predecessor’s administration were invalid due to the use of the device
US President Donald Trump has said he is canceling all executive orders his predecessor Joe Biden signed using an autopen, a device that reproduces signatures. Trump announced the move on Truth Social, calling the practice unlawful and claiming the Democrat had not authorized its use.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Biden was increasingly impaired in his final months in office and no longer directing major decisions. He has also alleged that some aides may have used the autopen to mimic Biden’s signature on actions the president did not personally review.
”Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the Autopen, which was approximately 92% of them, is hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect,” Trump wrote.
”The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States,” Trump added. He said he is cancelling all Executive Orders not directly signed by Biden, because “the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally.”
Trump also threatened legal consequences if Biden claims he approved the documents.
Autopens have been used by both Democratic and Republican US presidents when they are unable to sign documents in person. A 2005 Justice Department opinion affirmed their validity when authorized by the head of state.
Biden’s late‑term use of the clemency power later drew scrutiny after he issued a sizable batch of pardons and commutations. Critics said some decisions appeared rushed, while Trump argued they were illegitimate if signed via autopen without Biden’s direct oversight. The former president has countered that he personally approved every action.
Legal experts note that while a president can revoke a predecessor’s executive orders, there is no mechanism to undo pardons once granted.
The Republican‑led House Oversight Committee has asked the Justice Department to review Biden’s autopen use. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the matter is under review. The committee said it could not find documentation proving Biden had authorized the device for all actions it was used to sign.
Trump earlier this year replaced Biden’s portrait in the White House with a picture of an autopen.
