President Joe Biden affirmed that he personally made all clemency decisions that were subsequently formalized with an autopen signature, addressing questions about the process for presidential actions.
The statement comes amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding the use of automated signing tools for official presidential documents. Autopen devices, which replicate a person’s signature, have been employed by various administrations for a range of documents, particularly those requiring a high volume of signatures, such as clemency orders or military commendations.
During a recent press availability, President Biden emphasized his direct involvement in the substantive decisions, distinguishing the signing method from the deliberative process. His remarks sought to underscore that the ultimate authority and discretion for granting pardons or commutations remained squarely with him, even if the physical signature was applied mechanically.
“Let me be absolutely clear,” President Biden stated. “Every single clemency decision that has gone out under my authority, whether signed by my hand or by autopen, was a decision I weighed, considered, and made myself. The autopen is a tool for efficiency, not a substitute for presidential judgment.”
The use of autopen for official documents has been a recurring topic of discussion, with some critics raising concerns about the potential for delegation of authority. However, White House officials have consistently maintained that the practice is a long-standing tradition for certain types of documents, provided the President has given explicit authorization for each specific use. Biden’s recent clarification aligns with this position, reinforcing that the critical decision-making power rests with the President, regardless of the method of signature application.
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