Thanks to the autopen, questions arise about the legitimacy of various actions taken in former President Joe Biden’s name. The use of this device raises eyebrows. Many believe it undermines Biden’s authority and casts doubt on the validity of his decisions.
Just this past Tuesday in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump seized the moment during a rally. He drew attention to a specific rumor regarding the Federal Reserve, suggesting that Biden’s autopen may have signed the commissions for four Democrat members of the Federal Reserve Board, including Chair Jerome Powell.
Trump’s approach was classic: he engaged directly with his audience while turning to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, asking him to verify this startling claim. “By the way, it looks—and you’re gonna have to check this please,” Trump said, urging Bessent to investigate. His words captured the audience’s attention as he referred to Powell, whom he derogatorily nicknamed “Too Late.” Trump’s ridicule didn’t stop there; he described Powell as “a bad guy” and “not a smart guy,” revealing a pre-existing frustration with the Federal Reserve chair and the monetary policies that had long been a point of contention for him.
In a moment that epitomized his penchant for involving others in these discussions, Trump urged Bessent to look into the autopen issue, expressing skepticism over the qualifications of appointees to the Federal Reserve. “They put people there that are not authorized to be there,” he remarked, highlighting what he views as incompetence within the Biden administration. This is reminiscent of Trump’s challenges to authority and adherence to norms, a tactic that resonates with his supporters.
Trump’s claims extended to a broader context regarding accountability and scrutiny of presidential actions. He implied a double standard: if he employed an autopen, Democrats would deem his actions illegitimate. However, he insisted that Republicans have been too lenient, saying, “Republicans, on the other hand, he called ‘too nice.’” This framing positions Trump as a warrior against a system he perceives as unjust—a narrative that appeals strongly to his base.
The concern surrounding the legitimacy of Biden’s decisions stems from wider implications. The president’s autopen cannot simply be a rubber stamp for whoever is in charge, but rather a reflection of decisive leadership. Trump reasserted this point by reminding listeners that the appropriate use of the autopen hinges on the actual involvement of the president in the decisions being made. Emails hint that others, like White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, were actively making significant choices during Biden’s presidency, especially in critical moments like the last batch of pardons on his final evening in office.
Trump’s unilateral invalidation of Biden’s documents signed via autopen has put the spotlight on the legitimacy of pardons granted. Many of his supporters eagerly anticipate potential repercussions for figures they view as having misused their power during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Some are fixated on high-profile names, including Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6 committee, who might be implicated due to their connections to autopen actions.
As the discussion around Biden’s use of the autopen develops, people are aware of the potential fallout. The idea that Powell’s reappointment and similar actions could be nullified is causing a stir. Trump’s remarks inform and amplify this sentiment, turning what might seem like bureaucratic minutiae into a battleground for accountability and legitimacy in the highest office. In a landscape where trust in leadership is fraught with challenges, the clarity of decisions—backed by a genuine signature or mandate—holds enormous weight in the eyes of supporters and critics alike.
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