GOP Pushes Legislation to Ban Autopen Use for Presidential Pardons

Rep. Buddy Carter introduces the SIGN Act following Trump’s claim that Biden’s autopen-signed pardons are invalid.

Rep. Buddy Carter has introduced the SIGN Act, a bill that would require all presidential pardons to be personally signed by the sitting president, banning the use of autopen technology.
Donald Trump has declared Joe Biden’s pardons void, alleging they were signed using an autopen without Biden’s knowledge or approval.
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel previously determined autopen use is permissible for certain presidential actions, but its application to pardons remains legally contested.
Watchdog groups, including Power the Future, are calling for investigations into Biden’s potential use of autopen for other executive decisions, such as energy-related orders.
The controversy raises broader concerns about executive accountability and the balance between technological efficiency and constitutional responsibilities.