Autopen: President-elect Donald Trump said Friday that he will cancel every executive order Joe Biden signed using an autopen, the machine that copies a president’s signature.
In a post on his social media site, Trump wrote: “I am canceling all Executive Orders signed with the autopen by Crooked Joe Biden. The people who ran the autopen did it illegally.” He added that if Biden claims he personally approved each one, that would be perjury.
Trump has never liked the autopen. During his first term, he often insisted on signing bills and orders by hand. Presidents have used the machine for decades when they are away from the White House or have too many documents to sign personally. Courts and past Justice Department opinions say it is perfectly legal.
Biden used the autopen for many of his roughly 150 executive orders, especially during the pandemic and while traveling. Those orders cover student-loan forgiveness, climate rules, immigration changes, and more.
Canceling them will not be automatic. Trump will have to issue new orders of his own, and some actions may face lawsuits or pushback from Congress.
The Biden White House has always said the autopen is a normal tool and that the president personally approves everything it signs.
Trump takes office on January 20. Many expect him to move quickly to reverse a long list of Biden policies, and Friday’s announcement shows the autopen fight is now part of that plan.
