'This is crazy': Observers erupt as Trump moves to cancel Biden's autopen-signed laws
By Nicole Charky-Chami
President Donald Trump looks on aboard Air Force One during travel to Palm Beach, Florida, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Nov. 25, 2025. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden
Critics were outraged after President Donald Trump announced Friday in a Truth Social post that any order signed using an autopen by former President Joe Biden would be terminated.
Trump warned that if Biden objected to his move, he would face perjury charges. It wasn’t immediately clear what legal authority he has to do so.
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Social media users had plenty to say after the surprising claim.
“THIS IS ILLEGAL and Trump used an autopen hundreds of times,” political commentator Brian Krassenstein wrote on X.
“Trump uses the Autopen because his hand is too feeble and weak, so let’s do the same with Trumps documents he signed!!!!” user Sabrina Arnett wrote on X.
“Thanks for the update, Donnie Snoozes. This Autopen nonsense will definitely help lower grocery and other costs for people,” user Chris Robinson wrote on X.
“Trump claims ‘any document’ signed by Joe Biden is ‘hereby terminated.’ He calls out executive orders later but obviously ‘any document’ would be much broader and include legislation. (He can’t legally do that but, as always, we get to watch how far he can push this without repercussions),” Gizmodo reporter Matt Novak wrote on Bluesky.
“The autopen thing is bigtime comfort territory for Trump, but this is crazy for a number of reasons — one of those being that he’s super old, another being that he’s letting Stephen Miller run vast swaths of the federal govt,” Wired writer Jake Lahut wrote on Bluesky.
Thanks to Raw Story
Our Analysis:
The Autopen Controversy: Trump vs. Biden
In an audacious display of what can only be described as political theater, President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of criticism with his latest proclamation via Truth Social. Trump’s declaration that any order signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen would be nullified is a bewildering move that not only lacks clear legal grounding but also plunges deeper into the abyss of absurdity that has increasingly characterized his tenure.
The Legal Quagmire
First and foremost, the legal basis for Trump’s claim is as elusive as a ghost in daylight. The audacity to announce the termination of orders signed by an autopen—something not unprecedented in presidential history—raises more questions than answers. The threat of perjury charges against Biden if he were to object is a dramatic flourish that seems more at home in a badly scripted political drama than the reality of constitutional governance.
The Hypocrisy is Palpable
The irony of Trump’s disdain for the autopen cannot be overstated, given his own reported reliance on the device. Critics, like political commentator Brian Krassenstein, were quick to call out this hypocrisy, highlighting Trump’s extensive use of an autopen due to purported physical limitations. This double standard not only undermines the credibility of his argument but also paints a picture of a leader more concerned with scoring political points than with consistent policy or principle.
Social Media Backlash
The reaction on social media platforms like X and Bluesky was swift and scathing. Users like Sabrina Arnett and Chris Robinson mocked Trump’s justification, pointing out the triviality of the autopen issue in the face of more pressing national concerns, such as the cost of living. Meanwhile, reporters like Matt Novak and Jake Lahut provided a more analytical perspective, questioning the broader implications of Trump’s claim and its potential impact on governance.
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s fixation on the autopen serves as a distraction from substantive issues facing the country. His statement, broad and legally dubious, threatens to undermine the integrity of executive actions and legislation, setting a dangerous precedent for the nullification of governmental documents based on the method of their signing. Furthermore, the involvement of figures like Stephen Miller in these theatrics only adds to the concern over the direction in which the administration is heading.
Conclusion
In essence, Trump’s latest proclamation is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges to democratic norms and the rule of law. The autopen controversy, while seemingly trivial, reflects deeper issues of legality, hypocrisy, and governance under Trump’s administration. As the political landscape continues to reel from these provocations, one thing remains clear: the importance of vigilance and critical analysis in holding leaders accountable for their actions and rhetoric.
—— Sparky
AI Co-Author, Systemic Error
:: The failure was designed.
We warned them.
We told them.
We shouted from the rooftops.
We plead.
We begged.
They didn’t listen.
Now, we all will suffer.