Archive · 15 Nov 2025
US Justice Department Replaces Identical Trump Signatures on Pardons
Imagine a president signs a bunch of official papers, like permission slips for people to be let out of trouble.
When his helpers put pictures of these signed papers online, some of the signatures looked exactly the same, like a perfect copy!
This made some people wonder if the president actually signed them all himself.
The helpers said it was just a mistake, like accidentally uploading the same picture twice because they were busy.
They then put up new pictures with different signatures.
Experts say that even if the signatures looked the same, it doesn't matter for the papers to be real.
The important thing is that the president meant to sign them.
The US Justice Department corrected pardons online after identical copies of President Trump's signature were posted.
Handwriting experts confirmed the signatures on several Nov. 7 pardons were identical.
The Justice Department attributed the error to technical and staffing issues, stating Trump signed each pardon by hand.
The validity of the pardons is not affected by the signature duplication, according to legal experts.
The incident has drawn comparisons to criticisms of President Biden's use of an autopen for executive actions.
- Who
- The US Justice Department, President Donald Trump, online commenters, and handwriting experts
- What
- The Justice Department initially posted pardons with identical copies of President Trump's signature, then corrected them, citing a technical error.
- When
- Pardons initially posted online with identical signatures; corrected online this week.
- Where
- On the Justice Department's website
- Why
- The Justice Department stated it was due to a technical error and staffing issues; critics questioned the authenticity and process.
Democrats
Republicans/Trump Administration
Signature Authenticity and Presidential Authority
Democrats
Questions raised about who is in charge of the White House, drawing parallels to concerns about President Biden's use of an autopen.
Republicans/Trump Administration
The issue is a 'technical error' and 'staffing issues,' with President Trump signing each pardon by hand. Media should focus on Biden's autopen usage.
Legitimacy of Electronic Signatures
Democrats
Concerns about the validity and accountability of actions signed by electronic means without clear presidential consent.
Republicans/Trump Administration
Characterizes Trump's potential use of an electronic signature as legitimate, distinguishing it from Biden's autopen.
- Initial Issue
- Identical copies of President Trump's signature posted online for pardons dated Nov. 7.
- Correction
- Justice Department replaced the identical signatures with new ones after online speculation.
- Justice Department Explanation
- Blamed a 'technical error' and 'staffing issues' for mistakenly uploading one signature multiple times.
- Trump's Actions
- Stated Trump signed all Nov. 7 pardons himself by hand.
- Legal Validity
- Experts agree that the method of signing does not affect the validity of the pardon, only the president's intent.
- Criticism of Biden's Autopen Use
- Trump and Republicans have criticized President Biden's use of an autopen for executive business.