Is there a MAJOR autopen scandal brewing?
It has been reported that the Biden administration used the autopen to affix the President’s signatures on an unprecedented number of documents – including Executive Orders and other official documents. Many of the autopen signed orders had major policy impacts.
Harry Truman is believed to be the first President to employ a mechanical signature machine – although Thomas Jefferson toyed with the idea way back then. President Obama was the first to use the autopen to sign legislation. But no President has used it as much on critical documents as Biden.
The news media and the public were never aware of the extent to which the autopen was being used. It never became an issue before. It was in the background. But any investigation would be able to determine the real signature from one produced by autopen.
Tens thousands of documents that are “signed” by presidents without their knowledge or permission.. They are mostly correspondence in response to letters from citizens or organizations. Members of Congress regularly request congratulatory letters from the President for constituents with notable achievements – recipients of honors or reaching 100 years of age.
(By the way, we speak of THE autopen as if there is only one. To keep up with correspondence, the White House has several autopens with various forms of the President’s signature.)
While previous presidents have used the autopen for informal correspondence, Biden’s reported reliance on the “pen” for official government documents has raised concerns among lawmakers and legal experts.
Power the Future, a climate watchdog group, has called for congressional investigations into these executive orders, arguing that there is “no evidence” that Biden publicly acknowledged or discussed the subjects of many of the documents – even those dealing with major issues. The group reviewed eight executive orders related to climate and energy policy and found no record of Biden addressing them in speeches, press conferences, or even in social media posts.
Among these orders were a pledge for net-zero emissions by 2050, an Arctic drilling ban, an offshore drilling ban, and a mandate for clean energy artificial intelligence centers. The absence of Biden’s direct involvement in these major policy shifts has led critics to question whether unelected staffers were making decisions on his behalf.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said that in communication with Biden, the President was unaware of an Executive Order affecting liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. When Johnson confronted Biden with the Order, the president responded, “I didn’t do that” — and seemed genuinely confused when told that he had signed it just weeks prior.
These and other examples strongly suggest that Biden was not only not the man directing the autopen but was disturbingly unaware of what was going on.
Biden’s excessive use of the autopen raises two issues. In view of Biden’s mental condition, was he aware of all the major documents being signed in his name? Did he propose, read and understand the documents being signed by autopen – especially Executive Orders and other formal documents? If the autopen was used extensively – as it appears – the question is “why? Was it his wife and staff who recognized his general incapacity?
The second issue relates to the legitimacy and enforceability of a document signed by autopen. We lay people have long understood that a document may not be legal or binding unless we have personally affixed our signature – or gave power-of-attorney to another. It is the only way that we can be certain of consent. Some legal scholars compare the issue to contract law, where a signature is required to demonstrate intent and authorization. If a contract is signed by an unauthorized party, it may be deemed unenforceable or fraudulent.
What about forgery? If you were to sign another person’s name to a document, it is a forgery. What if you use autopen to sign a document without the knowledge or authority of the alleged signatory? Is that forgery? I do not know the answer, but I am sure it could be debated and litigated in a court-of-law.
(We go to great lengths to get signatures. When my firm was working on Steve Forbes presidential campaign in Illinois, we noted that he had not signed a document required to appear on the ballot in the Land of Lincoln. With the deadline upon us, we had to quickly charter a private plane to meet Forbes in Kansas City to get his signature – and fly back. But I digress.)
While the legality of a mechanical signature is questionable, there have been some prejudgments made in terms of the President. In 2005, the Department of Justice issued a memo concluding that presidents do not need to sign a congressional bill for it to become a law. But that is merely a legal opinion. And what about all those other official documents – Executive Orders, appointments, military orders, etc.
The issue of pardons – including the Biden family — was raised by President Trump, who personally signs all official documents. He thought the Biden pardons should be nullified. In 2024 – at the end of the Biden presidency – a federal appellate court ruled that the absence of a handwritten signature does not invalidate pardons and commutations. But that is only one court’s decision – and appears to be an attempt by the Biden administration to cover its butt. The issue has never been conclusively decided by the Supreme Court. Until that happens, it is an open question.
This could be one of those acorn scandals that grows into a political oak tree. The House Oversight Committee has already launched an investigation of Biden’s use of the autopen. The Committee plans to subpoena former White House officials – and potentially Biden — to determine the extent of its use of the autopen — and by what or whose authority. Who actually ran the machine?
Democrats are already caterwauling – calling the investigation “political”. I suppose it is in the spirit that all things in Washington are political. But there are good reasons for a thorough investigation. It is very possible based on preliminary reports and testimony that the presidential responsibilities of the White House were being carried out by unelected and authorized individuals. It raises broader questions of presidential authority, transparency and legitimacy. It raises questions of the legitimacy of a lot of documents that had major impacts on the nation. Is it even possible that so many presidential actions could be nullified?
The debate over the Biden Administration’s use of the autopen highlights broader concerns about presidential authority, transparency, and legal validity. While past presidents have used the device for routine correspondence, Biden’s reported reliance on it for official documents has led to investigations and legal scrutiny. As lawmakers continue to examine the issue, the question remains: does an autopen signature carry
The American people deserve answers — and a congressional investigation is a good start.
So, there ‘tis.
Let’s continue to dish it out to a guy with serious prostrate cancer instead of focusing on worse crimes being conducted in front of your eyes today.
FOUR YEARS of Biden impeachment Congressional investigations, Abbey Gate investigations, Biden crime family investigations for Joe, Hunter and many other family members. Cocainegate. Documentationcorvettegate. How many money? How much money? How many resoureces? And the results: nada.
Trump is calling for Jill Biden to testify against her husband in direct conflict of spousal protections. Yeah, don’t let due process and the rule of law get in the way of great TV.
And now it’s autopengate —- let’s prove that Biden was asleep at the wheel.
Does Trump really look that bad that you need this diversion?
Apparently so.
Dunger as a staunch Trump supporter I say go after the people who forged Biden’s name. He probably didn’t know about it. They should have leveled with the people and admitted that he was not capable of serving. I know what it is from watching my mother experience alzeheimers.
UTI want to be clear; I believe that commas are important. Oops, let me try again: UT, I want to be clear; commas matter. Once again I remind you that I spell my name: danger, and let be frank with you when I say, you are wrong to say: “Dunger as a staunch Trump supporter.” Never have, never will. Commas, dude. And if you call “dung,” prove it like a man, not a third grader flinging names about the schoolyard to be c o o l.
Second, as always, I say we live by the rule of law, use it whenever appropriate to investigate, arrest, indite, prosecute, convict, and punish. No issues. But what law is being broken here? Is it in the Constitution?
The author states: “Biden’s reported reliance on the “pen” for official government documents has raised concerns among lawmakers and legal experts.” My concern is that “concern” is not an arrestable crime.
The issue says the author is that Biden did not know what was being signed. That’s tough to find, tougher to prove, and given the recent wide level of Presidential immunity given by the Trump SCOTUS, good luck convicting. FYI, I am just as concerned that we don’t even know what Donny 2 Dolls, our Felon King, is saying anymore. The White House no longer publishes transcripts of speeches, press briefings, and public statements. Some say it’s to hide the lies, the delusions, the uttered craziness of the man who is the same age as Biden coming into office.
If not knowing something is proven by not acknowledging it publicly, let’s include Trump in this investigation starting with the 45 Biden EO’s he killed with one signature on his first day. Did he even read the 45 EO’s much less mention them as the author says is tantamount to a crime. They were all pulled from Project 2025; who is really leading the nation today? Trump or a conservative cabal operating as The Heritage Group? Has Trump lost his mind? We need to know. We need a Congressional investigation, at least.
Then we have the Johnson anecdote. This is the same man that contradicts his Congressional Budget Office to say no deficit, no Medicaid cuts in the Big, Bloated, Bill. I say: say it under threat of perjury in court. If it even matters from the supplicant no johnson-Johnson.
That’s the authors current evidence to which I say, good luck. You will have your witch hunt to make for good TV, lots of lying on FOX about results, but not much else as you drag out our ex-President, fighting for his life with cancer, to beat up him up one more time.
There is no law against the autopen. There is no law governing a president’s use of an autopen.
A 2005 opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department determined autopen can be used to sign legislation. Barack Obama became the first president to do so in May 2011 when he signed an extension of the Patriot Act. Much earlier guidance on pardons was sent in 1929 from the solicitor general saying “neither the Constitution nor any statute prescribes the method by which executive clemency shall be exercised or evidenced.” The author is correct, the Biden example can be used to make new law, but chances are that will not convict Biden.
The author gives a great anecdote about requiring an in-person signature from Forbes, a marque client. This was for a State document before the DOJ’s 2005 opinion was written. In 1995, I got a Master Card by signing the application on PC by mouse just to see if it would pass: it did. Today, I sign many formal documents, contracts, etc. via mouse, stored digitally, and used on formal documents via PDF auto-sign feature. In either case, the anecdote proves nothing.
The author claims the President auto signed the 2050 zero emissions pledge as an example. Biden addressed world leaders at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland making the case for cutting carbon emissions globally. He outlined how the U.S. can cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, under his PREPARE plan which sure sounds like he knew about it, said it in public. BUSTED.
The author claims the same for artic drilling ban. Biden said “in Alaska, dozens of Tribes have fought to protect the Northern Bering Sea, a vital ocean ecosystem that supports their traditional ways of life. In Alaska, the new Northern Bering Sea protections are consistent with a long-standing request from more than 70 coastal Tribes”. BUSTED
Ditto for the offshore drilling ban, and a mandate for clean energy artificial intelligence centers. BUSTED and BUSTED.
Point is it will be really hard for you to prove what Biden believes in reality. And IF and WHEN you do, what law is being broken? You will not depose him. And the same would be true for Trump where there is no record anymore of him saying anything. There are no transcripts anymore. Using the author’s logic, does that mean Trump knows nothing about anything? Heh, heh, that’s a song I can dance to :>)
So, according to the author:
1. Autopen for official documents, no known law being broken
2. Biden did not know what was being signed (evidence is no press mention by Biden, Trump must know nothing now, there are no transcripts)
3. Possible forgery by persons unknown, perhaps alliens?
4. Used it a lot (not really proved by evidence)
5. Is his wife the enabler (wow, the author is going after spousal privilege? Can we interrogate Melanoma about her cheating immigration laws and did her communist party father brought over with chain migration read the nuclear secrets next to him at Mara Loser)
6. Trump personally signs all documents, according to Trump, not under the threat of perjury, and granted broad immunities by his hand-picked SCOTUS to break the law. We need an investigation all the way back to Bush 1 at least.
So, let’s get down to what this is about: revenge and retribution. Plain and simple. Distraction. Diversion. You claim he was and is demented, unaware of surroundings and you want your pound of flesh. It makes for great TV when Donny 2 Dolls, the Felon King, would rather not be in the news: a rarity.
For four years, you have dragged Biden and his entire family through Congressional investigation after investigation; what over a dozen by now? You tried to impeach him. Nail his son and put them in cahoots in crime. All you did was waste our money and get some FOX fakenfacts for great TV. No impeachment, Trump has two. No convictions, Trump has over 40 felonies. Not held liable, Trump was for sexual abuse and defamation. It’s revenge and retribution time. Good luck nailing him before he dies.
Funny how the author stopped talking about progress here for the nation’s future as he recently only lives in the past. How about the cognitive testing for Congress and above he used to support? Gee, afraid Trump will fail? How about new law defining use of autopen for Congress and above: that would require passing a law, something Trump’s Congress just can’t do. So, here we go, probably the Comer and Jordan comedy team, or worse, surprising us with startling evidence on FOX and X and never even getting the stuff to court. Leak, leak, drip, drip, to the press but never prosecute. Or at least that’s what they did for the past four years, now five.
The bottom line is that you’re too stupid to understand how serious it is to have others acting president and hiding behind a retard. If republicans had done this you would be screaming the commiecrats blues. Instead of campaign stickers you people should say “ do it if you can get away with it “. Your party is getting more like Tammany Hall or the early campaigns of the Daily family running Chicago. Famous quote. Don’t forget to vote and vote often.
UT, you may be right. What law is being broken? Where in the Constitution? Whattttya gonna do, impeach him? Didn’t your Trump SCOTUS give him immunity? Like Trump’s document declassification rule, if he thought he did it, didn’t he?
PS: if I am so stupid, why respond? Why are you fighting with what you presume to be stupid? That sounds really stupid.
We did scream this with Alzheimer’s Reagan, brain-dead Cheney-brained Bush jr. What did screaming get us? But continue on. You need the diversion, distraction from Trump policies. Makes for great TV.
What’d they do the other day: arrest a US born high school valedictorian the day before graduation with full camo’d, masked, white guys with long guns for a high school nerd of the 4.0 variety only to face the entire town rising up against them. Republicans too. Yeah, you guys need diversion from the truth all righty. Then in San Diego, they arrived in three trucks to take our the kitchen staff on a tip. Entire town surrounded them, they let off flash-bang smoke bombs and retreated. The entire town then marched on the courthouse. Yup, diversion would be good for you right now. Because reality sucks.
Reality is doing just fine. I’m losing weight. My brown shirts are too tight. LOL. Dunger is running out of steam.
Seth is listening and buying less, eating less. Still wearing his brownshirt and goosestepping to the band. Steam? Sorry son, I run on solar so let me show you the light :>)
Have you put Biden in jail yet?
Is the Ukraine war over?
How’s GAZA cooking?
Iran got no bomb plans?
Prices down? Eggs cheap again, have a steak lately, oh my.
Bird flu abated?
Measles is gone because we don’t test anymore…..
90 trade deals in 90 days, so far —————- ZERO.
Have you seen the saucers? Tranquility base, There goes the neighborhood, Musk garbage dumped in space and no room left for brotherhood………
Dunger someone recently posted about what we say about people who can’t take a joke. Remember that? We say,”fuck ‘em”. In case you forgot.
Meth; i spell my name danger and generally I don’t see the humor in being called “dung” and anything that follows that vain attempt at humor. .
Just because you can’t hold a:decent discussion. that’s funny, strange, but not humorous.
Just because you call me a liar and can’t prove it, that does not make you funnier than your face.
And most certainly, you can’t fuck me, you can’t even hold my hand. Try that shit with Hammandeggs, he seems to be funny that way just like you. Not that there’s anything wrong with you two fine fellows obsessing about me. I’m sure being funny and gay suits you. Tis good ro be happy.
When will you ever quit with the childish putdowns and personal insults rationalized as humor when really you just can’t toe the line in duologue debate. For you: Your Momma:,fuck her. I did.
Right back at ya, funny guy. Welcome to NJ where smack was born. And you know what they say.
Often Larry laments how Democrats call Trump and MAGA, NAZI’s, Hitler, or worse. Well, Larry, Trump just signed an EO to cause the DOJ to investigate, persecute, and hopefully prosecute Biden and Aides. That may be a first.
Little doubt now that Trump is weaponizing the Federal Government taking the powers granted to the other branches of government from the Founders as documented in the Constitution.
I think you can pen chapter three of your autopen trilogy now in defense of the Felon King.