Former US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by branding the Biden administration's use of an autopen as the biggest scandal in American history since the 2020 election. Trump alleges that the mechanical signature device was employed to authorize critical policies without President Joe Biden’s explicit consent.
In a statement posted on Truth Social on May 28, 2025, Trump claimed the autopen allowed unnamed officials to bypass Biden’s direct approval, effectively usurping presidential authority. He singled out policies on border security, transgender rights, and the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports as examples of decisions he believes Biden would not have made with full awareness.
An autopen is a robotic device designed to replicate an individual’s signature and has historically been used by presidents such as Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama to sign routine or ceremonial documents when the president is unavailable. However, Trump’s allegations imply a broader and unauthorized use in policy enactment.
While there is no confirmation that Biden has used the autopen for executive pardons or other critical acts, Trump contended that such usage would render those acts illegal. This accusation comes amid Trump’s ongoing rhetoric questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election and expressing criticism of Biden’s policies, particularly concerning immigration reform and transgender rights.
Concluding his post, Trump pledged to restore America’s strength and prominence, stating, “Fear not, however, we will bring America BACK, BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
