US President Donald Trump has declared that all documents signed using an autopen under his predecessor, President Joe Biden, are now “terminated” and “no longer in force or effect.” He claimed that around 92 % of those documents lacked Biden’s direct approval. Trump also accused the individuals operating the autopen of acting “illegally,” and warned that “if he says he was [involved], he will be brought up on charges of perjury.”
The move has stirred a heated debate about presidential powers, procedural legality, and the role of automated signature devices in government — at a time when political tensions run high.
What is an Autopen & Why Do Presidents Use It?
An autopen is a mechanical device that can replicate a person’s signature automatically using real ink. It works from a signature template and can reproduce pen strokes precisely, allowing one to “sign” documents remotely or in bulk.
Governments and public figures use autopens to manage large volumes of paperwork efficiently, especially when time, travel, or logistics make it impossible to sign everything manually.
US law permits such use, a 2005 guidance from the Justice Department under the George W. Bush administration clarified that a president may have an official “affix the president’s signature … for example, by autopen.”
Which Presidents Have Used the Autopen?
Use of the autopen is not new. Several US presidents have used the device, including early adopters such as Thomas Jefferson. Other known users include Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama.
During Obama’s presidency, the autopen signed legislation such as the extension of the Patriot Act while he was abroad, and later, a 2013 bill to avert a financial crisis while he was on holiday.
These precedents show that many administrations accepted autopen use as an efficient and legal tool — especially in urgent or logistical circumstances.
Has Trump Ever Used Autopen Himself?
Yes. In March, President Trump acknowledged that he used the autopen for “very unimportant papers.” He said the White House receives “thousands and thousands” of letters and messages from people seeking help, sending support, or sharing personal stories, and autopen use helped process them.
However, Trump sharply contrasted this limited use with what he claimed occurred under Biden. He called the broader use of autopen for “formal actions, pardons and all of the things that he signed with an autopen” “disgraceful.”
Why the Move Sparks Legal & Political Alarm?
By cancelling all autopen-signed documents, Trump has raised serious questions. First, can a former president nullify validly executed documents? Second: if the autopen use was previously deemed legal, does this move rewrite executive procedures retroactively?
Legal experts warn that such sweeping cancellation could lead to legal chaos — contracts, executive actions, and official orders may be thrown into uncertainty. Political opponents argue this step undermines institutional stability and sets a dangerous precedent for future leadership changes.
Autopen, Trust, and Public Record in the Digital Age
The controversy around autopen use shows deeper challenges of governance today. As automation and digital tools make tasks easier, they also raise new risks, loss of transparency, diminished personal accountability, and potential misuse.
In a time when governments handle vast paperwork, the autopen offered speed and convenience. But the current backlash suggests that convenience may come at the cost of trust.
Public appetite for accountability — especially in politically charged contexts — may demand that leaders physically sign critical documents, or at least ensure transparent, audited electronic approvals.
