The Trump White House has debuted a “Presidential Walk of Fame” bearing every president’s photograph in a gold frame except for former President Biden, who is depicted instead by a framed photo of an autopen writing his signature.
The White House and others in the administration posted pictures and videos of President Trump looking at the new decked-out West Wing Colonnade, along the Rose Garden. The display with its mockery of Mr. Biden is in a prominent location bordering Mr. Trump’s renovated outdoor “club,” where he hosts weekly dinners for friends and allies.
Mr. Biden’s use of the autopen during his administration has been a big talking point of Mr. Trump’s administration. Mr. Trump and Republican lawmakers have called into question Mr. Biden’s mental fitness while in office, alleging that his staff used the autopen to sign thousands of pardons and executive orders without Mr. Biden’s knowledge or consent.
Former Biden Chief of Staff Jeff Zients was the last person to be brought in for questioning by the House Oversight Committee last week in the investigation into the use of the autopen and Mr. Biden’s mental fitness. Some Biden aides have appeared voluntarily, and some by way of subpoena.
The autopen has been used historically by presidents of both parties, but the Trump administration and its allies have taken issue with the Biden White House for allegedly using the device too often. The former president pardoned more than 4,200 people, more than any other president, including family members and lawmakers who were fearful of retribution.
The Justice Department is also conducting its own investigation into the autopen signatures.
Mr. Biden has pushed back on claims that he wasn’t involved. In an interview with The New York Times in July, Mr. Biden said he orally granted all the pardons and commutations issued at the end of his term, but that he had his staff use an autopen for the warrants because he granted clemency to so many people.
Mr. Trump hinted that the autopen picture would be coming in an interview with the Daily Caller earlier this month. He also hinted it in a photo posted on social media back in March, showing his photos with an autopen photo in between.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.