The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump is continuing to investigate the controversial use of an autopen during the presidency of Joe Biden, according to multiple reports.
Despite claims from some media outlets that the case had been quietly dropped, sources familiar with the situation say the investigation remains active and is focused on whether Biden administration aides improperly handled the mechanical signature device.
The autopen — a machine that reproduces a person’s signature — has been used by presidents for decades. However, investigators are now examining whether the device may have been used without the president’s direct knowledge or approval during Biden’s time in office.
What Investigators Are Looking At
According to sources inside the Justice Department, investigators are focusing primarily on the actions of White House staff members, not the former president himself.
Officials want to determine whether aides may have used the autopen to approve executive actions or official documents while bypassing Biden’s direct authorization.
The investigation is reportedly examining whether such actions could amount to obstruction of the president’s intent or an improper exercise of presidential authority.
One senior Justice Department official pushed back against speculation that simply using an autopen would automatically be illegal.
“I don’t think it’s the view of smart people that it was illegal to use an autopen,” the official reportedly said.
Still, investigators are examining whether the way the device may have been used inside the Biden White House crossed legal or ethical boundaries.
Conflicting Reports About the Case
The investigation became public again after conflicting reports surfaced in the media.
One report suggested prosecutors had effectively dropped the matter after failing to find evidence of criminal conduct. But officials familiar with the inquiry say that claim is not accurate, and the case remains under review.
Justice Department officials also rejected suggestions that investigators were targeting Biden personally.
Instead, the probe is centered on whether staff members may have misused the autopen while handling official presidential business.
Who Is Overseeing the Inquiry
The investigation is being handled by the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro acknowledged the issue publicly on social media but said her office cannot discuss the details of an ongoing investigation.
For now, officials say the inquiry remains active as investigators review documents and internal procedures from the Biden administration.
Biden Responds To The Allegations
Biden has firmly denied the claims and insists he personally made the decisions during his presidency.
In a previous statement, the former president rejected suggestions that others were making key decisions for him.
“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency,” Biden said.
He added that he personally approved major actions including pardons, executive orders, legislation, and official proclamations.
Biden also dismissed accusations that staff members were acting without his approval, calling those claims “ridiculous and false.”
Why The Issue Matters
The investigation highlights broader questions about how presidential authority is handled inside the White House, especially when mechanical tools like the autopen are used to sign official documents.
While the device itself is not unusual in modern administrations, critics argue that its misuse could potentially allow staff members to exercise authority that legally belongs only to the president.
As the Justice Department continues reviewing the matter, the investigation could shed new light on how executive decisions were processed during the Biden administration.
For now, officials say the case remains under review and more details could emerge in the coming months.