The U.S. Department of Justice has quietly shelved its investigation into former President Joe Biden’s use of an autopen for signing documents, concluding that no applicable criminal statute exists to pursue charges. This probe, initiated under pressure from President Donald Trump, stemmed from allegations that Biden’s aides misused the autopen to conceal his cognitive decline during his presidency, potentially invalidating executive actions like pardons. Republicans, including House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, had urged a review in October 2025, claiming unauthorized signatures rendered hundreds of decisions null and void, but the DOJ found insufficient grounds to proceed.
The decision marks another setback in efforts to prosecute political opponents, as prosecutors in Washington were unable to build a case despite examining Biden’s autopen practices. Trump had previously threatened to terminate all autopen-signed Biden orders and even suggested perjury charges if Biden claimed involvement, but the probe wound down without advancing to a grand jury. As of March 2026, sources confirm the investigation’s closure, highlighting challenges in applying federal law to routine presidential tools amid partisan scrutiny.
