The Phantom Signature: Who’s Really Running the White House?
Trump Says Biden’s Use of Autopen Is Now Under Federal Investigation
Former President Donald Trump has announced that the use of the autopen—a mechanical device used to sign official documents—in the Biden administration is under serious investigation. The claim surfaced during a recent meeting at the White House with Argentine President Javier Milei, where Trump was asked about Venezuela and broader security threats in Latin America.
Instead of responding solely on foreign policy, Trump pivoted to criticize President Biden’s competency and claimed that others in the administration were the ones truly pulling the strings—especially when it came to signing critical documents.
Trump Questions Who Was Really in Charge
“They’ve emptied their prisons, they’ve emptied their mental institutions into the United States,” Trump said, referring to Venezuela. “And we had a president who didn’t understand what was happening.”
Trump then brought up the autopen, suggesting that many key documents in Biden’s final days in office were signed not by Biden himself, but by an aide or mechanical device acting on his behalf—without proper oversight.
“You’ve heard about the autopen,” he continued. “But it wasn’t just the person who pushed the button. It was the people who told that person what to do. Those are the ones who were actually running the country. We’re not going to stand for it.”
He also claimed that this issue is “under serious investigation,” and hinted that more information would come out soon regarding the authenticity and legality of decisions made using this method.
What Is the Autopen?
The autopen is a device that can mechanically replicate a person’s signature. It has been used in various administrations, typically for routine approvals or when the president is unavailable for manual signing. However, Trump is now questioning whether it was used improperly during Biden’s time in office, especially in regard to mass pardons and commutations.
Trump suggested that Biden rarely signed documents himself, raising concerns about who was making final decisions. “He barely signed anything,” Trump said. “Except one thing—we’re pretty sure he personally signed Hunter’s pardon,” he added, laughing at the moment.
Internal Tensions Reported in Biden’s Final Days
Behind closed doors, there were reportedly internal concerns among White House staff over the process of issuing last-minute pardons and clemency decisions. Sources say that while Biden verbally approved a broad plan to grant clemency to non-violent drug offenders, the final paperwork—affecting thousands of people—was signed using the autopen just days before he left office.
Staff members reportedly debated whether it was appropriate to proceed with mechanical signatures without additional written confirmation from the president. One aide reportedly requested direct confirmation before releasing the documents but was told that a verbal agreement from Biden would suffice.
The mass clemency was announced the next morning. But questions remain about whether Biden reviewed the documents personally or delegated the entire process to staff.
Legal Debate Over Validity
Although the autopen carries legal weight when properly authorized, critics argue that bypassing direct review from the president could undermine the legitimacy of such decisions. Trump and his allies now allege that this may constitute a breach of constitutional duty if Biden failed to review or understand what he was signing off on—regardless of whether the autopen was used.
Supporters of Biden argue that the use of the autopen in this context is neither new nor improper. They claim he authorized the decisions and that the method of execution does not alter the legitimacy of the actions taken.
Still, the investigation that Trump has referenced may seek to determine who exactly authorized each document, who operated the autopen, and whether Biden himself was aware of the full scope of the decisions attributed to him.
Political Implications
This controversy comes as Trump continues to mount attacks on what he calls “deep state” actors and administrative overreach in the federal government. By raising questions about the legitimacy of Biden’s signatures, Trump is suggesting that key decisions—especially those related to criminal justice and clemency—may not have come from Biden at all.
In Trump’s words, “The people behind the scenes were running the country. And that’s a problem.”
The outcome of any investigation remains to be seen, but the issue has become another front in the battle over presidential authority, accountability, and transparency. Whether it’s a procedural misstep or a significant abuse of executive power, the discussion has thrust the quiet function of the autopen into the national spotlight.