President Biden’s reliance on a mechanical autopen and a newly leaked audio of his faltering interview with special counsel Robert Hur have sparked accusations of executive dysfunction and unelected control.
At a Glance
- Biden used an autopen to sign controversial last-minute pardons, including for political rivals
- Full audio of Biden’s Hur interview reveals frequent memory lapses, including confusion over Trump’s election
- Trump claims the autopen scandal proves staffers—not Biden—are wielding presidential authority
- Special counsel Hur cited Biden’s memory issues as a factor in declining prosecution
- Trump reignited claims of surveillance and misconduct by ex-FBI Director James Comey
Signature Without a President
The controversy over President Biden’s reliance on an autopen to execute pardons has taken a dramatic turn. While such devices have long been used for convenience, critics argue that Biden’s use—particularly for high-profile, last-minute pardons involving adversaries like Liz Cheney and Adam Schiff—points to a deeper dysfunction. According to former President Donald Trump, these actions hint at a government operating “without a functioning head,” where unelected aides may be executing consequential decisions.
Watch a report: Biden’s Autopen Controversy Explained.
Trump’s response on Truth Social was characteristically blunt: “Whoever had control of the ‘AUTOPEN’ is looking to be a bigger and bigger scandal by the moment.” His comments fused the autopen issue with longstanding grievances about the 2020 election being “rigged”, suggesting a broader conspiracy undermining the legitimacy of executive authority in Washington.
Hur Interview Raises Alarms
Amplifying the scandal, Axios released the full audio of Biden’s five-hour interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The tape captures a struggling president, unable to recall key facts—like when Trump took office—or even the name of the National Archives, despite the interview focusing on mishandled classified documents. On multiple occasions, Biden’s attorneys and aides interrupted to clarify or redirect, raising concerns about his ability to operate independently.
The Hur report concluded that Biden had “willfully” retained classified materials but chose not to prosecute, citing his “diminished faculties” and age as factors that would elicit jury sympathy. That rationale drew sharp contrast with Trump’s legal treatment under similar circumstances, deepening perceptions of a double standard.
From Comey to the Present: A Pattern of Power?
Trump also linked the current debacle to older grievances, reviving accusations against former FBI Director James Comey and ex-President Obama. “It all began with DIRTY COP James Comey,” he said, in a fiery statement tying the autopen usage to what he views as a deep state plot dating back to the 2016 campaign. The implication is stark: Biden, cognitively compromised and logistically detached, is merely the figurehead of an entrenched bureaucratic machine.
Trump contrasted this with his own administration’s “strict controls” over autopen usage—limited to two aides—emphasizing personal oversight and responsibility. For his base, this divergence symbolizes a broader ideological battle: executive accountability versus administrative inertia.
As audio leaks and autopen disclosures continue to swirl, the Biden White House faces growing calls to clarify not just policy, but who exactly is calling the shots behind the signature.
