What at first appears procedural can quickly become a political flashpoint.
A recent spate of presidential pardons has sparked questions over whether the boundaries of signature authority were respected—or if a so-called “technical error” masks a more serious lapse inside the White House.
Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized President Joe Biden for using an autopen to sign official documents, arguing that such pardons lack legitimacy. Yet forensic analysis now suggests that Trump himself may have employed an autopen in his latest batch of pardons, drawing scrutiny from both legal experts and the Justice Department.
Trump and Biden have long clashed publicly, with Trump mocking Biden’s age and stamina. The autopen controversy has become a particular focal point, exemplified when Trump replaced Biden’s portrait with a depiction of an autopen at a White House ceremony honoring the “Presidential Walk of Fame.”
Concerns about the matter have also reached Capitol Hill. Republican lawmakers requested a formal review by Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the House Oversight Committee noted that senior White House officials appeared to lack proper oversight and documentation regarding autopen usage. The committee warned that any executive action executed without traceable presidential consent could be considered invalid.
Autopen use is not unprecedented. Previous presidents, including Trump, have used it in certain contexts. However, a set of pardons issued on November 7 drew particular attention. Forensic experts analyzing the documents noted that multiple signatures were identical, raising the possibility of autopen use. Recipients of these pardons included former New York Mets player Darryl Strawberry, ex-Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada, and former NYPD sergeant Michael McMahon.
Shortly after the discovery, the Justice Department updated its online records, attributing the duplicated signatures to a “technical error” amid staffing challenges during a government shutdown. Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin explained, “One of the signatures President Trump personally signed was mistakenly uploaded multiple times due to staffing issues.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson insisted that all pardons were hand-signed by the president, dismissing the controversy and pointing instead to Biden’s frequent use of the autopen.
Conclusion
While the issue might seem minor, it underscores broader concerns about accountability and transparency in presidential actions. Whether these duplications were an administrative oversight or actual autopen use, the controversy fuels ongoing debates over executive power. In Washington, perception can carry as much weight as reality—and in this case, every signature is being watched closely.