Biden faces scrutiny for autopen-signed pardons and immigration orders, with critics blaming policy for rising crime.

Criticism Mounts Over Autopen’s Role in Biden Administration

President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen to authorize pardons and executive orders has come under renewed scrutiny, with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller alleging that the practice enabled a “sadistic criminal underclass” to enter the United States under Biden-era border policies. Miller’s comments highlight growing Republican criticism of both Biden’s leadership and his administration’s immigration agenda.

Miller’s remarks followed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement detailing the background of a suspect involved in the ambush and shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer in New York City. According to DHS, the suspect, Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, entered the country illegally in April 2023. Authorities had issued a warrant for his arrest in February for armed robbery with a firearm.

Miller argued that Democrats established a “puppet presidency” during Biden’s time in office, allowing his signature to be affixed to important documents with little oversight. “The Left has weaponized migration against the American People,” Miller stated, referencing the alleged use of the autopen for a range of policy actions.

Pardons, Immigration Orders, and Legal Challenges

Biden reportedly employed the autopen to sign thousands of pardons and multiple executive orders, including the Keeping Families Together initiative, which aimed to provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants married to U.S. citizens. The initiative was struck down by a federal judge in November 2024, who ruled that it violated U.S. immigration law.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson echoed Miller’s concerns, stating, “Biden’s entire presidency – including his dangerous open-border policies and refusal to remove dangerous criminal illegals from our country – was run via autopen. President Trump is exposing this fraud for what it was.”

The Biden administration has not responded directly to these allegations. However, aides have stated that the autopen was used for a variety of official actions throughout the presidency. The controversy centers not only on immigration but also on the scope of pardons issued during Biden’s final days in office. High-profile recipients of preemptive pardons include former chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci and retired Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley.

Investigations are ongoing into both Biden’s use of the autopen and questions about his mental fitness while in office. The House Oversight Committee is examining whether the device was employed without proper authorization and whether it played a role in attempts to cover up concerns about Biden’s health.

As critics and investigators continue to focus on these issues, the debate over the legal and ethical implications of presidential autopen use is expected to intensify, particularly as the Trump administration seeks to draw sharp contrasts with its predecessor’s policies. The outcome of these investigations may influence public trust in future executive actions and the administration of justice in the United States.