Trump Declares Biden-Era Documents Signed by Autopen 'Null and Void'

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that all documents signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen — including executive orders, proclamations and pardons — are "null, void and of no further force or effect," escalating a long-running claim by his administration that the device was used unlawfully.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "Any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts, signed by Order of the now infamous and unauthorized ‘AUTOPEN,’ within the Administration of Joseph R. Biden Jr., are hereby null, void, and of no further force or effect."

He added: "Anyone receiving ‘Pardons,’ ‘Commutations,’ or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The announcement doubles down on Trump's comments last week, when he first signaled plans to void Biden's executive orders signed via autopen. Legal experts immediately questioned the move's validity, noting that autopens have been used by presidents for decades to handle high-volume documents and that pardons, once issued and accepted, are generally irrevocable under Article II of the Constitution. It remains unclear which specific documents, if any, were signed this way, as the White House has not released a list.

Trump's post did not specify recipients of affected pardons, but reporting has indicated the list could include Dr. Anthony Fauci and Biden's brother, James Biden. A pardon for Hunter Biden, the former president's son, was signed by hand and would not be impacted, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The autopen, a mechanical device that replicates a person's signature, has been employed by multiple administrations, including Barack Obama's signing of a national security measure while abroad. Trump himself used it during his first term. Biden's team has repeatedly denied any improper use, with the former president stating in January that he personally approved all major actions.

Trump has long alleged that Biden's reliance on the autopen — which he claimed accounted for "approximately 92%" of documents — indicated the former president was not mentally fit to lead and that aides operated it "illegally." House Republicans echoed these concerns last month, urging the Justice Department to investigate.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on implementation or legal basis. Reversing executive orders is routine for incoming presidents, but nullifying laws signed into effect or pardons would likely require congressional action or court challenges, experts said.

Biden issued dozens of pardons and commutations in his final weeks, including for family members he sought to shield from investigations and nonviolent drug offenders. It is unknown if any were autopen-signed.

The move comes amid Trump's early second-term efforts to dismantle Biden-era policies, including immigration and climate initiatives. Federal agencies expressed uncertainty Tuesday about the practical effects, with some directives potentially unaffected pending legal review.

This is a developing story.

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