| Published May 18, 2025
The recent release of audio from President Joe Biden’s 2023 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur has reignited debates over his cognitive health and the use of an autopen for signing official documents during his presidency.
In the audio, Biden is heard struggling to recall significant events, such as the date of his son Beau’s death and the year Donald Trump was elected president. These revelations have led to increased scrutiny of the president’s mental fitness during his time in office.
Amid these concerns, questions have arisen about the use of an autopen—a device that replicates a person’s signature—to sign critical documents, including executive orders and pardons. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has announced an investigation into whether Biden’s aides used the autopen without proper authorization, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the signed documents.
Former President Donald Trump has weighed in, labeling the situation a “growing scandal” and suggesting that the use of the autopen could invalidate certain actions taken during Biden’s presidency. However, legal experts note that the use of autopens by presidents is not unprecedented and has been deemed legally permissible in the past.
Trump’s post on Truth Social read:
“Whoever had control of the “AUTOPEN” is looking to be a bigger and bigger scandal by the moment. It is a major part of the real crime, THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 WAS RIGGED AND STOLEN! Millions and millions of people knew that, but the Radical Left Democrats waged a campaign of inoculation and innocence like none that had ever been waged before. THIS IS WHY THE UNSELECT COMMITTEE OF POLITICAL THUGS, WHO WERE GIVEN A FULL AND COMPLETE PARDON BY THE PERSON WHO WIELDED THE NOW ILLEGALLY USED AUTOPEN, DELETED AND DESTROYED ALL EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION FROM THEIR CORRUPT AND VICIOUS WITCH HUNT AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE, WHOSE LIVES WERE COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND DESTROYED BY THIS HISTORICALLY CRIMINAL EVENT.
Remember, it all began with DIRTY COP James Comey, Obama, a hapless and cognitively impaired Sleepy Joe Biden, and my now very famous ACCUSATION that,“THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!” Whoever had control of the Autopen is just the beginning. The biggest crime of all is that THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS RIGGED! I (MAGA!) WON THE ELECTION BY MILLIONS OF VOTES, AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT. GOD BLESS AMERICA, FOR THE FIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN!!!
After news regarding the autopen broke, Trump trolled Biden on social media with a post showing an image of an autopen signing Biden’s name between two portraits of Trump from his first term in office and his current term.
The president’s recent message on Truth Social mentioned former FBI Director James Comey, who came under fire this week for posting a photo on Instagram that called to “86 47” which some interpreted as a violent threat against Trump. Comey later deleted the post that had showed the numbers in a seashell formation on a beach, per Breitbart News. The outlet noted 86 possibly meant to “eliminate” and 47 possibly related to Trump, who is the 47th President of the United States.
As the investigation unfolds, the controversy underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the executive branch, particularly concerning the delegation of presidential authority and the mechanisms used to execute official duties.
Pros and Cons of Biden’s Use of Autopen
✅ Pros:
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Efficiency and Continuity:
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Allows the president to sign critical documents remotely, ensuring that government functions are not delayed even if the president is unavailable.
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Particularly useful during emergencies or while the president is traveling.
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Established Precedent:
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Autopen usage is not new. Presidents like George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump also used autopens for various documents, making it a standard practice.
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Legally recognized as a valid means of signature for executive actions.
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Reduced Physical Strain:
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Helps reduce the burden on elderly or physically unwell presidents who may struggle with repetitive signing.
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Minimizes the risk of hand fatigue for the president, especially during high-volume signings.
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Secure and Controlled:
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Autopen devices are generally secure and managed by authorized personnel, ensuring that signatures are not easily forged.
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Each signature can be recorded and verified, maintaining accountability.
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❌ Cons:
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Potential for Abuse:
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Without clear oversight, staff could misuse the autopen, signing documents without the president’s direct approval.
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Raises concerns about the authenticity of the president’s intentions, especially if documents are signed without his knowledge.
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Weakens Accountability:
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Critics argue that using an autopen can give the impression that the president is disengaged from decision-making.
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In Biden’s case, concerns about his cognitive health intensify suspicions that aides may have been making decisions on his behalf.
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Lack of Transparency:
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The public may not always be informed when an autopen is used, leading to confusion over whether the president personally reviewed and approved a document.
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This secrecy can erode public trust in presidential decisions.
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Legal and Constitutional Questions:
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While legally recognized, the use of an autopen for critical actions (such as pardons or executive orders) may invite legal challenges.
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Critics argue that it undermines the constitutional expectation of the president’s direct personal action on critical matters.
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Conclusion:
The controversy over Joe Biden’s use of an autopen to sign critical documents highlights a delicate balance between efficiency and accountability in the modern presidency. While the autopen offers undeniable convenience and continuity, especially for elderly or busy leaders, it also raises serious questions about transparency and the proper exercise of presidential authority. As investigations into its use continue, the debate over Biden’s cognitive health and his administration’s adherence to protocol will likely fuel broader discussions about the ethical limits of executive power.
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Trump GOES OFF on Growing Biden Autopen Scandal after Hur Tapes Released
REDSTATE – Hur Interview, Joe Biden’s Decline Are Raising Serious Questions for GOP About the Autopen, Pardons
BREITBART – President Trump: Joe Biden’s Autopen ‘Scandal’ Growing Bigger ‘By the Moment’
THE NEW YORK POST – Trump says Biden’s ‘autopen’ looks like a ‘bigger and bigger scandal’ after full special counsel Robert Hur audio leaks
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