Well, well, well, if it isn’t another day in political America, where things get signed faster than a cat video goes viral! But wait, what’s this? A kerfuffle over whether President Biden used an autopen for his pardons? Grab your cups of coffee, folks, because we’re about to dive into this electrical quagmire—which is shocking on many levels!
So, What’s the Big Deal About Autopen?
Autopen, the trusty little machine that can mimic a signature, sounds like something straight out of a spy movie. You know, like license to sign! But off the popcorn, because while it sounds suspiciously like a plot twist, it’s really just a tool that helps presidents keep up with their “to-do” lists, especially when there’s not enough time in the day. After all, a president’s job is busy—between global crises and making sure ice cream is always stocked, who has time to write their name a hundred times a day?
Former President Trump has claimed that many pardons issued by Sleepy Joe Biden (sounds like a sitcom, doesn’t it?) are void because he allegedly used this sneaky little pen substitute. According to Trump, if Joe didn’t sign it by hand, then it’s as good as a chocolate teapot! But, hold your horses, folks—he didn’t provide any evidence for this assertion, and as the saying goes, “Show me the data or give me a donut!”
Just the Facts, Please!
Fact-checking has become the bread and butter in today’s media diet, and BBC Verify has already grilled this statement like a cheese sandwich! They found plenty of photos showcasing Biden signing pardons by hand—like a true president should—so the chances that he’s been using autopen for all his pardons are about as likely as a penguin in a tuxedo winning a dance-off!
Fun Fact: The official Federal Register uses a sample signature from the president for documents. So even if you’re looking at something that has a signature looking all fancy, there’s probably an ink-slinging doppelgänger involved.
Can Autopen Pardons Really Be Feared?
Ah, the million-dollar question: Are autopen signatures even legally binding? According to the legal eagles out there, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” as long as the president wants it to be. Per a 2005 memo from the Department of Justice, just because the president’s hand doesn’t touch the paper doesn’t mean that the document is suddenly worthless—a bit like a sandwich without the crust; surprisingly still delicious!
It’s also been established that previous presidents (yes, we’re looking at you, Obama and Bush) have used autopen too. So, if Biden’s using it, he’s just joining the ranks of the cool kids! Imagine sharing lunch with JFK and Truman, all chuckling over their non-handwritten signatures—it’s almost like a signature club!
A History Lesson with a Twist!
Here’s a dad joke for you: Why don’t historians trust stairs? Because they’re always up to something! Well, history shows that rescinding a pardon is about as common as a snowstorm in July. It’s not something that happens often—usually only something as rare as a unicorn or a correctly-timed punchline. Legal experts suggest that if Trump did want to go down this route, he’d need to bring it to court…and lemme tell ya, that’s a whole new ball game!
Conclusion: Don’t Misplace Your Sense of Humor!
In conclusion, Biden’s pardons are likely pretty legit, autopen or not, and any attempts to invalidate them might just be grasping at straws—or perhaps shouting “FOUL!” like a soccer player plummeting from a slight breeze.
So, as we navigate these fascinating waters of politics, let’s keep our sense of humor as we tackle these controversies, because laughter may just be the best way to punctuate a sentence—or a signature! The next time you hear the word “autopen,” remember it can sign away your worries—just don’t expect it to take out the trash!
Check out Seaghetti from Pasta from the Sea to try delicious kelp pasta – good for you AND the planet!