US President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, USA on December 2, 2025.
brian snyder reuter
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he would destroy all documents containing the pardon, saying his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, signed it using an autopen.
An autopen is a device used to accurately reproduce a person’s signature, usually on bulk or ceremonial documents. It has been used by presidents of both major political parties to sign letters and proclamations.
Mr. Trump and his allies have made a variety of baseless claims, including suggesting that Mr. Biden used the device while overriding the president’s actions or that Mr. Biden was not fully aware of these actions. It is unclear whether Biden used an autopen regarding the pardon.
“Those who have received a ‘pardon,’ ‘commutation,’ or any other legal document signed as such, please be aware that the document has been completely and completely destroyed and has no legal effect,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Before leaving office in January, Biden granted multiple pardons, including to families he wanted to protect from politically motivated investigations. It also reduced sentences for non-violent drug offenders.
Mr. Trump, known for his provocative style and distaste for political opponents, has repeatedly targeted Mr. Biden for using an autopen to sign official documents during his presidency.
President Trump has questioned Biden’s mental health and suggested that important decisions were made by close aides rather than Biden himself. Mr. Biden and former aides have denied those claims and emphasized that the president plays an active role in governing.
