Former US President Donald Trump has launched a startling attack on his successor's administration, vowing to cancel the majority of Joe Biden's executive orders while making explosive claims about their validity.
The Autopen Allegation
In a social media post that has ignited political controversy, Trump baselessly alleged that President Biden did not personally sign off on many executive orders. He claimed that "the radical left lunatics circling Biden around the beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office took the Presidency away from him" by using an autopen machine to replicate his signature.
The autopen, a signature reproduction device, has been commonly employed by nearly all US presidents since its invention to manage the substantial volume of official documents requiring presidential authorisation.
Trump specifically stated: "The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States." He further alleged that the machine was operated by other individuals without Biden's direct approval.
Questioning Executive Order Legitimacy
Making a dramatic numerical claim, Trump asserted that approximately 92% of all executive orders signed through this method were therefore invalid. He went even further by threatening legal action, stating: "Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury."
These allegations form the foundation of Trump's declaration that he intends to cancel most of the executive orders implemented by the Biden administration should he return to power.
Political Implications and Response
The controversy emerges amid ongoing political battles between the two administrations' legacies. Executive orders have become a crucial tool for presidents to implement policy without congressional approval, making Trump's pledge particularly significant for current government operations.
While Trump's claims about unauthorised autopen use remain unsubstantiated, the very public challenge sets the stage for potential legal and constitutional debates about presidential authority and document authentication processes.
The White House has yet to respond formally to these specific allegations, but the situation highlights the deepening political divisions and the ongoing influence of Trump within Republican circles as speculation about the next presidential election intensifies.
