The controversy surrounding the use of the autopen has been fueled by reports from the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project, which found that many of Biden’s executive orders bore identical signatures, raising questions about whether he personally authorized them.

The National Archives clarified that the signature appearing in digital records is a standardized graphic file and does not necessarily reflect the original, hand-signed documents. Additionally, Snopes provided evidence of Biden signing executive orders in person, countering claims that autopens were secretly used.

In response to these concerns, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has initiated an investigation into the use of the autopen during Biden’s presidency. The inquiry aims to determine whether Biden authorized the mechanical signing of official documents and whether aides acted on his behalf without proper direction. Letters have been sent to several former Biden staffers, including his former physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, requesting interviews, with subpoenas threatened if they do not comply.

While the use of autopens is legal and has been employed by previous administrations, the current scrutiny highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in the executive branch.