Biden’s Autopen Scandal: Constitutional Crisis Looms

A new review questions the legitimacy of Biden’s autopen-signed executive actions, sparking a constitutional debate.

Story Highlights

Trump administration launches investigation into autopen use during Biden’s presidency.
House Oversight Committee releases report on Biden’s cognitive fitness and autopen usage.
Potential constitutional crisis over the validity of executive actions signed by autopen.
Ongoing debate about presidential authority and mental fitness in leadership.

Trump Administration Launches Investigation

On June 4, 2025, the Trump administration issued a presidential memorandum initiating a review of executive actions signed by former President Joe Biden. The focus is on actions executed using an autopen rather than Biden’s own signature, raising questions about the constitutional validity of these documents. The memorandum suggests that Biden’s aides used the device to conceal his cognitive decline while managing presidential duties.

The investigation has pointed to a potential abuse of presidential power, with allegations that aides coordinated efforts to obscure the truth about Biden’s mental fitness. This has led to a broader inquiry into the decision-making process and whether Biden was fully aware of the actions carried out in his name. The Trump administration argues that this situation represents a significant constitutional crisis that demands scrutiny.

House Oversight Committee’s Findings

In late October 2025, the House Oversight Committee released a detailed report titled “The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House.” This report examines the alleged concealment strategies used by Biden’s aides and the scale of autopen usage during his term. The findings have intensified the debate over the legitimacy of thousands of executive actions, including clemency grants and judicial appointments.

The report’s release has added fuel to an already polarized political environment, with conservatives viewing it as validation of their concerns about Biden’s fitness for office and the integrity of his administration. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, focusing on identifying the individuals responsible for directing autopen use and the extent of Biden’s involvement in these actions.

Constitutional Implications and Future Considerations

The ongoing investigation has significant implications for the future of executive authority and the constitutional standards applied to presidential actions. The use of autopens in signing executive orders, particularly under the alleged conditions of Biden’s cognitive decline, challenges traditional norms of presidential governance and accountability.

The potential invalidation of executive actions signed by autopen could lead to legal challenges and a reevaluation of protocols for presidential decision-making, especially in scenarios involving cognitive health concerns. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these findings will impact the public’s trust in the executive branch and the broader political landscape.