Quick Read
- President Donald Trump has ordered a broad investigation into Joe Biden’s use of an autopen during his presidency.
- The autopen, a mechanical device replicating a person’s signature, has been used by U.S. presidents for decades.
- Trump alleges Biden’s aides used the autopen to conceal his cognitive decline and questions the validity of actions signed using the device.
- The investigation could challenge thousands of executive orders, pardons, and policies enacted during Biden’s tenure.
- Biden, now 82 and battling cancer, has dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.
In a dramatic escalation of political hostilities, President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive investigation into the actions of his predecessor, Joe Biden, during his presidency. Central to this probe is the alleged misuse of the autopen, a mechanical device that replicates a person’s signature, which Trump claims was employed to conceal Biden’s supposed cognitive decline. The investigation could have far-reaching implications, potentially undermining thousands of executive actions, pardons, and policy decisions signed during Biden’s tenure.
The memorandum, signed by Trump on June 4, mandates two parallel investigations. The first focuses on whether Biden’s aides conspired to deceive the public about his mental state and unconstitutionally exercise presidential authority. The second scrutinizes the use of the autopen in signing executive actions, including pardons and legislation. Trump’s move marks an unprecedented effort to revisit the validity of actions taken by a $1. BBC reports that this investigation could challenge the legitimacy of Biden’s presidential decisions.
The autopen debate: A tool or a cover-up?
Presidents have used autopens for decades, primarily for routine correspondence or when unavailable to physically sign documents. Barack Obama became the first president to use an autopen to sign legislation in May 2011, while he was abroad on official business. However, Trump has questioned the validity of using the autopen for critical decisions, particularly in Biden’s case. According to CNN, Trump privately told aides he believed the autopen’s use during Biden’s presidency was inappropriate and needed investigation.
Trump’s executive order specifically cites pardons issued by Biden in the final days of his presidency as a key area of concern. Among these were controversial clemency grants for 37 individuals on federal death row, which Trump described as examples of “radical policy shifts.” According to Washington Post, the memorandum calls for a review of all policy documents signed using the autopen to determine their legitimacy.
Biden fights back: “Ridiculous and false”
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Biden, now 82 and battling metastatic prostate cancer, dismissed Trump’s accusations as baseless. “Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false,” Biden said. He further accused Trump of using the investigation as a political distraction. ABC notes that Biden’s advisors have consistently denied any coordinated effort to conceal his health issues during his presidency.
Biden’s health has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, following revelations from the book Original Sin by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios. The book alleges that Biden’s inner circle worked to downplay his cognitive decline during his ill-fated re-election campaign last year. The campaign ended abruptly in July 2024 after a disastrous debate performance against Trump.
House Republicans expand the inquiry
On the same day as Trump’s executive order, House Oversight Chairman James Comer announced an expanded investigation into what he termed a “cover-up of Biden’s mental decline.” Comer called for testimony from Biden’s former aides, including his chief of staff and senior advisors, to shed light on the decision-making processes within the Biden White House. BBC reports that subpoenas could be issued as early as next week if voluntary interviews are not scheduled.
“The American people deserve full transparency,” Comer said in a statement. He emphasized that the investigation would provide answers and accountability, adding that a detailed report would be made public upon completion.
What’s next?
The investigation ordered by Trump will be spearheaded by Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington. While its legal ramifications remain unclear, the move has already ignited heated debates about presidential authority and accountability. According to CNN, this effort marks a continuation of Trump’s broader strategy to challenge the legacy of his predecessors and strengthen his political base ahead of the 2028 elections.
Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have yet to issue official statements on the matter. However, the unfolding developments are likely to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks, adding a new chapter to the increasingly polarized landscape of American politics.
This latest investigation reflects the high-stakes power struggles defining U.S. politics today. As the inquiry unfolds, its outcomes could reshape public understanding of presidential authority and accountability for years to come.