In a dramatic and unprecedented executive action, US President Donald Trump has declared all documents signed by autopen during the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden, to be legally invalid. The announcement, made via his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, directly targets a swathe of presidential actions, including controversial last-minute pardons.
The Executive Decree: Unpicking the Biden Legacy
The 47th president stated unequivocally that "any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandations, or Contracts" authorised by the autopen under Joseph R. Biden Jr. are now "null, void, and of no further force or effect." This sweeping declaration specifically addresses individuals who received pardons or commutations, informing them their legal protections have been "fully and completely terminated."
The move follows through on Trump's repeated public pledges to scrutinise what he terms "the entire Biden crime family" and its allies. It centres on the use of the autopen—a mechanical device that replicates a signature—which Trump has previously suggested was used to enact decisions without Biden's full knowledge or capacity.
Targeting the Final Hours of the Biden Presidency
This action has profound implications for the final acts of the Biden administration. As Trump prepared to take office on inauguration day, President Biden issued a series of pre-emptive pardons. These notably included his son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden, shielding them from potential future prosecution.
Other beneficiaries were members of Congress who served on the committee investigating the 6th January Capitol attack, and Dr Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Biden, speaking to the New York Times in July, vehemently denied aides acted without his consent, insisting, "I made every single one of those" and labelling critics "liars."
Political Theatre and Lasting Repercussions
The announcement is more than a bureaucratic order; it is laden with political symbolism. During a recent state visit, Trump was seen showcasing the so-called "Biden autopen" in the White House. Furthermore, reports indicate the Trump administration replaced Biden's official portrait in the White House's Presidential Walk of Fame with an image of an autopen.
The decision has been met with acclaim from Trump's Republican base and allied organisations. The Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project, which investigated the use of the autopen, thanked the president for acting on its findings. Similarly, GOP Congressman and House Oversight committee chair James Comer publicly applauded the move.
This action represents the latest effort by Trump to delegitimise the Biden presidency, a continuation of his unfounded claims of fraud in the 2020 election. By invalidating official documents from the previous administration, Trump sets a significant constitutional and political precedent, ensuring the bitter rivalry between the two presidents continues to define the American political landscape.
