The Biden administration’s failed attempts to spin autopen use

Published January 1, 2026 7:00am ET



Former President Joe Biden and his allies defended his use of an autopen during his presidency, but the practice largely drew scrutiny.

Biden confirmed to the New York Times in July that he authorized the autopen. He said he used the machine, which allows someone to duplicate the signature of the commander in chief on a document, due to the large number of clemencies he granted. 

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