Biden Presidency Faces Unprecedented Scrutiny As Autopen Controversy Escalates

By Michael Dorstewitz
Monday, 01 December 2025 10:56 AM EST

Former President Joe Biden’s use of autopen devices for signing documents has drawn increasing scrutiny. Critics suggest this practice may have broader implications than previously considered.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Friday that he would terminate all executive orders signed by autopen rather than personally by then-President Biden.
Trump declared, “I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders… because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally,” estimating nearly 92% of documents were affected. The practice has been framed as one of the biggest political scandals during the second term.

Rep. James Comer (KY) applauded Trump’s decision and referenced ongoing investigations. “I applaud President Trump for deeming President Biden’s autopen actions NULL AND VOID,”
he stated, adding that oversight mechanisms had already confirmed widespread misuse.
The House Oversight Committee recently reported how aides restricted then-President Biden’s public appearances,
suggesting teleprompters were used even at small events.

Evidence compiled shows the extent of “stage-managing” included limiting high-profile executive actions to autopen commissions. The committee concluded their findings demonstrated a presidency being managed like a television production.
Worse, sources indicated then-Presidents aides themselves did not know who was operating the autopen system officially assigned for presidential signatures.

The controversy extends beyond revoking past orders. Trump has also targeted Biden’s judicial appointments,
specifically lifetime Article III commissions which require the President’s handwritten signature according to Title 5 US Code §2902.
If applied consistently, it could mean most of Biden’s significant federal judicial appointments lacked validity under his administration.

This situation represents a stark reversal from White House staff efforts previously told Americans they should disregard visible realities regarding their president. Now,
a major part of Trump’s second term involves formally “cancelling” and declaring invalid actions purportedly undertaken by the outgoing administration leadership.
The effort is described internally as dedicated to cleaning up mismanagement on Aisle 46.

Even if Biden personally approved appointees, the use of autopen signatures for commissions arguably rendered them legally defective under standard procedures. The scope of invalidated appointments could be substantial,
potentially affecting hundreds of key federal positions previously thought legitimate during his administration.

The ongoing review process now before Americans includes not only reversing questionable past actions but potentially reshaping the very foundation of administrative law and presidential authority regarding long-term judicial structures.
This scrutiny represents one of the most significant constitutional challenges witnessed so far in the second term.