The Autopen Scandal: A Shadow Presidency?
Peter Doocy said we went through all the Joe Biden “signed documents” on the Justice. gov website
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) June 4, 2025
He was only able to find 1 Joe Biden signature that wasn’t an identical match to the rest
ONLY ONE signature may have actually been signed by Biden in 4 years pic.twitter.com/ROa1a3tzd2
A political firestorm has erupted over allegations that former President Joe Biden’s administration relied heavily on an autopen—a mechanical device that replicates a signature—to sign critical documents, potentially without the president’s direct involvement. The controversy, dubbed the “autopen scandal,” has raised questions about the legitimacy of executive actions, pardons, and even the functioning of the presidency itself, with critics claiming it could represent a constitutional crisis.
The heart of the scandal lies in the sheer scale of autopen use. An analysis of Biden’s presidential signatures revealed that a majority of documents, including 162 executive orders and a flurry of last-minute pardons issued on January 19, 2025, bore identical autopen signatures. These included high-profile pardons for figures tied to contentious political issues, such as COVID-19 policies, military decisions, and investigations into the January 6 Capitol riot. Notably, the only document reportedly signed by Biden’s hand was his announcement withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race.
The implications are staggering. If aides used the autopen without Biden’s explicit approval, unelected officials may have wielded presidential power, effectively creating a “shadow presidency.” Critics point to major policies—COVID-19 vaccine mandates, the Afghanistan withdrawal, and Ukraine operations—as potentially enacted without Biden’s full awareness. The controversy has fueled speculation that a small circle of aides controlled access to the autopen, acting as gatekeepers to the presidency itself.
Compounding the issue are concerns about Biden’s health. In 2025, Biden disclosed he was battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and reports suggest his mental and physical capacity was limited in his final years in office. Insiders describe a White House run by a tight-knit group of advisors, with Biden functioning more as a figurehead than an active decision-maker. This backdrop has intensified scrutiny of the autopen’s role, particularly in the last 100 days of Biden’s term, when its use reportedly surged.
Investigations are underway to unravel the scandal’s scope. Congressional probes are examining Biden’s mental decline and the autopen’s use, with subpoenas issued to former aides and the president’s physician. The Justice Department is also investigating which documents were signed by autopen and who authorized its use, focusing on whether Biden was mentally competent during key decisions. Watchdog groups have joined the fray, alleging that energy and climate-related executive orders, among others, may be invalid if signed without presidential oversight.
The political fallout is seismic. The scandal has been likened to a modern-day Watergate, with accusations of a Democratic cover-up dominating headlines. Republicans argue that autopen-signed documents were strategically used to “Trump-proof” government policies, hindering the current administration’s agenda. The controversy has also reignited debates about election integrity, with some tying it to broader claims of political malfeasance.
As investigations continue, the autopen scandal remains a lightning rod, raising profound questions about the integrity of the presidency and the trust Americans place in their leaders. Whether it proves to be a historic abuse of power or a misunderstood administrative practice, its impact on the political landscape is undeniable.