Former President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into whether President Joe Biden’s administration used an autopen machine to sign important presidential documents, including pardons. This move comes months after Trump claimed that Biden’s pardons were invalid.
In a memo signed Wednesday night, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the White House counsel to investigate what he called a “conspiracy” to misuse presidential signatures through an autopen. He suggested this was done to hide signs of Biden’s cognitive decline.
The memo listed several executive actions by Biden, such as pardons and federal judge appointments. It raised questions about Biden’s decision-making and awareness of these actions. Trump argued that if Biden’s aides secretly used an autopen, it could affect the legality of many executive decisions.
Trump also called for an inquiry into whether Biden’s team deceived the public about his mental state and unlawfully exercised presidential powers. The investigation should identify which actions involved the autopen and who authorized its use.
A spokesperson for Biden did not respond to the order.
Autopen machines have been used by presidents for decades to sign documents. In 2005, the Justice Department under President George W. Bush stated that using an autopen to sign bills is legal. Trump said in March that he used an autopen only for minor documents.
Despite this, Trump and his supporters have questioned the legitimacy of Biden’s autopen use. In March, Trump declared some pardons given to his opponents at the end of his presidency as “VOID” and “VACANT.”
Legal expert Jessica Levinson told CBS News in March that Trump cannot cancel pardons issued by a previous president, even if an autopen was used. She said, “This is not a gray area.”
On Wednesday, Trump called the alleged autopen scandal “THE BIGGEST POLITICAL SCANDAL IN AMERICAN HISTORY,” second only to his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
Concerns about Biden’s mental fitness have increased recently, especially after reports about his decision to leave the 2024 presidential race. Earlier Wednesday, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, pressed Biden’s close aides to answer questions about the president’s mental and physical health while in office.
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