Trump cancels Biden’s ‘autopen’ orders — What exactly is this device, and has he ever used it?

Trump Cancels Biden’s Use of the Autopen

Former US President Donald Trump has overturned the authorization for using an “autopen,” a device that allows automatic reproduction of a person’s signature on official documents. The move reverses a practice used by President Joe Biden and several of his predecessors.

What Is an Autopen?

An autopen is a mechanical signature device that can replicate a handwritten signature with precision. It enables a president or other officials to sign documents remotely or when unavailable. The tool has a long history in US government operations, allowing continuity of governance even during travel or illness.

Legal Basis and Historical Use

According to a 2005 Justice Department guidance issued under President George W. Bush, a president’s use of an autopen for signing legislation is legally valid. The ruling confirmed that laws signed with a replicated signature carry the same authority as those signed personally.

The first recorded presidential use of the autopen dates back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Later, presidents from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama employed it for efficiency. Obama, notably, used the autopen to enact a key fiscal bill while traveling in Europe in 2011.

Biden’s Use of the Device

President Joe Biden reportedly relied on the autopen for routine correspondence and some official orders, a practice that drew bipartisan debate over authenticity versus practicality. Trump’s new directive ends this approach, restoring the expectation of manual presidential signatures on official documents.

Trump’s Rationale

While the exact reasoning behind Trump’s reversal has not been detailed, analysts suggest it underscores his emphasis on personal control and direct involvement in presidential actions. The decision also serves as a symbolic gesture contrasting his leadership style with Biden’s.

“Every signature from the President should come from his own hand,” one Trump aide told reporters, emphasizing the importance of visible presidential authority.

Summary

Trump’s decision to cancel Biden’s autopen usage reopens discussion on the balance between governmental efficiency and the symbolic weight of a president’s personal signature.

Author’s summary: Trump ended Biden’s use of the autopen, a mechanical signature device presidents have used since Eisenhower, reviving debate over symbolic and practical aspects of presidential signatures.

WION — 2025-11-29