President Trump claims President Biden’s extensive use of an autopen for official signatures represents a growing scandal that goes beyond just administrative protocol breaches.

At a Glance

• Trump criticizes Biden for allegedly using an autopen extensively for official documents, including last-minute pardons
• The controversy intensified after the release of Biden’s full special counsel Robert Hur interview audio showing memory lapses
• Trump suggested House Select January 6 Committee members received preemptive pardons via autopen
• Special counsel Hur found Biden “willfully” retained classified documents but declined to prosecute
• Trump linked the autopen controversy to his broader claims about the 2020 election

Autopen Controversy Escalates

Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of former President Biden’s use of an autopen—a device that automatically reproduces signatures—calling it a scandal that grows more significant with time. According to reports, the controversy centers on allegations that Biden excessively relied on the device for signing official documents, including last-minute pardons. The Heritage Foundation has claimed that the majority of Biden’s official signatures were produced using an autopen rather than being personally signed by the president.

Trump’s concerns about the autopen usage gained momentum following the release of President Biden’s full interview with special counsel Robert Hur, which revealed notable memory lapses. During this interview, Biden reportedly made several errors, including misstating the year Trump was elected and forgetting the name of the National Archives. White House counsels and Biden’s personal attorney reportedly had to assist him multiple times when his recollection faltered during questioning about classified documents found in his possession.

Trump’s Specific Allegations

In posts on Truth Social, President Donald Trump directly connected the autopen issue to broader allegations about election integrity. “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!” Trump wrote. He specifically claimed that members of the House Select January 6 Committee, including former Rep. Liz Cheney and Sen. Adam Schiff, received preemptive pardons through documents authorized by autopen.

“Whoever had control of the ‘AUTOPEN’ is looking to be a bigger and bigger scandal by the moment”, said Trump.

The Trump administration reportedly implemented stricter controls over autopen use, limiting access to only two top aides. In contrast, former Biden White House sources have suggested that an aide may have used the autopen liberally for presidential signatures before the end of Biden’s term. This disparity in autopen protocols has become a focal point in Trump’s criticism of Biden’s administrative practices and leadership approach.

The Hur Investigation Connection

The autopen controversy has become intertwined with special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. According to released audio from Hur’s interview with Biden, the special counsel found that Biden “willfully” retained classified material but chose not to press charges, considering Biden’s age and memory challenges. The audio revealed Biden provided inconsistent reasons for keeping sensitive files, including possibly for use in his memoir “Promise Me, Dad.”

“Former President Joe Biden’s use of an “autopen” to sign last-minute pardons looks like a much “bigger scandal” after the full audio of his scattered interview with special counsel Robert Hur was released Saturday”, added President Trump.

Trump has further expanded his criticism by connecting the autopen controversy to his longstanding feud with James Comey and allegations of surveillance during his 2016 campaign. “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!'” Trump stated in a Truth Social post. The former president has used visual mockery as well, posting an image of an autopen machine signing Biden’s name on social media platforms.