US President Trump on Wednesday called the use of an autopen “the biggest scandal in American history” since the 2020 election, claiming it allowed unnamed individuals to sign off on controversial policies without Former US President Joe Biden’s direct consent.In a post on Truth Social, Trump alleged that whoever used the mechanical signature device was “usurping the power of the Presidency.” He argued that certain policies — such as open borders, transgender rights, and allowing men to compete in women’s sports — were decisions Biden would not have made “of sound mind.”
An autopen is a robotic device used to replicate a person’s signature and has been used by past presidents including Thomas Jefferson, John F Kennedy, and Barack Obama to sign ceremonial or routine documents when unavailable. While it’s unclear whether Biden has used it to issue pardons, Trump insisted such use would make those acts “illegal.”Trump, who continues to claim the 2020 election was “rigged”, has repeatedly criticised Biden’s administration policies, including criticisms of transgender inclusion in sports and immigration enforcement.“Fear not, however,” Trump added at the end of his post, “we will bring America BACK, BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
