U.S. presidents have used autopens since Thomas Jefferson; the first to use an autopen to sign a law was Barack Obama.

Trump’s post echoes claims made last week by the conservative Heritage Foundation which alleged that Biden’s signature on several pardons was identical, implying the use of autopen. The New York Post further claimed that a Biden aide “made unilateral determinations” to sign documents using autopen.

The sudden ending of Secret Service protection for former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s son thrust the issue of security details into the headlines but raised concerns about political payback.

US President Donald Trump announced the termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, citing excessive taxpayer costs. The move has brought attention to the rules governing Secret Service protection and who qualifies for it.

There is no modern precedent for an American president to effectively wield security details as a political tool – until Donald Trump came along.