President Donald Trump announced Monday that pardons issued by former President Joe Biden using an autopen are legally void. The revelation that Biden relied on the device for major executive actions has intensified scrutiny over who was truly making decisions in his administration.
Trump took to Truth Social to make the declaration — stating that Biden’s pardons were “void, vacant and of no further force or effect.” The statement comes as reports confirm that Biden’s White House heavily used the autopen to sign executive orders, legislation and high-profile pardons — raising concerns over whether he was directly involved in those decisions.
🚨👀I said this when he first "signed" them. Look back and you'll see I said he didn't have the cognitive ability to legally enter into a car loan, let alone sign Eos or pardon people.
I just didn't know it was done by autopen. People need to go to jail – the "pardonees" and… pic.twitter.com/pyNjqAw892
— 🍻Grow in the Glass🍻 (@mrhuntoon) March 17, 2025
According to a White House insider, aides had broad discretion to use the autopen — and it remains unclear how many of Biden’s executive actions he personally reviewed. The controversy has drawn attention to last-minute pardons granted before Biden left office — including those given to members of the Jan. 6 select committee.
Thought it would be interesting to look at Joe Biden's signatures on the seven pardons issued in the last hours before he left office. The president's pardon power can't be constrained or challenged, but who used an autopen to issue blanket, preemptive, 11-year pardons? pic.twitter.com/GIP8kThYUu
— Susan Shelley (@Susan_Shelley) January 29, 2025
Trump has vowed that those involved in the investigation against him will still face scrutiny. He emphasized that individuals responsible for “deleting all evidence” related to the Jan. 6 probe should remain under legal review — regardless of the pardons issued under Biden’s name.
The Autopen is NOT Allowed for Use in Pardons. pic.twitter.com/Zal7RyP3BO
— Doug's Journey ✞📖🇺🇸 Ⅹ (@DsJ0URNEY) March 16, 2025
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has demanded a federal investigation into the use of the autopen — arguing that if Biden did not personally approve these actions — they could be unconstitutional. Bailey also warned that the legitimacy of Biden-era executive orders may now be in question.
as long as Biden had the intent to pardon his family, signing by pen, autopen doesn't really matter, it is still effective. However, Biden clearly had no intent to pardon his family… so ya, here is that… pic.twitter.com/o0r71UkqQL
— 🏴☠️ TT 🏴☠️ (@TeslaTrillion) March 17, 2025
Vice President J.D. Vance further fueled the debate by posting a comparison of Biden’s autopen signature alongside Trump’s actual signature. The post quickly gained traction — with many questioning who was truly in control of Biden’s presidency. Elon Musk also reacted — mocking the autopen scandal with a laughing emoji.
Every pardon that was signed via autopen should be thrown out… Starting with them. 👇 pic.twitter.com/YtbqB9wZLU
— The 🐰🕳️ (@TheHoleTweet) March 16, 2025
With Republican lawmakers calling for hearings — Biden’s reliance on the autopen could lead to further legal challenges over decisions made during his time in office.
