President Trump has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of Biden’s Federal Reserve appointments, suggesting they may have been illegally authorized through autopen signatures rather than proper presidential approval.
Story Highlights
- Trump questions validity of all four Biden Federal Reserve appointments over autopen signatures
- Claims suggest Fed Chair Jerome Powell and three other governors may lack proper authorization
- Investigation ordered into whether Biden used illegal shortcuts to bypass constitutional appointment process
- Biden appointees currently hold majority control of Fed’s Board of Governors
Trump Demands Investigation Into Biden’s Fed Appointments
President Donald Trump publicly questioned the legitimacy of former President Biden’s Federal Reserve appointments during a December 9 speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.
Trump directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to investigate whether Biden used autopen signatures to approve critical financial appointments, potentially violating constitutional requirements for presidential authorization.
The president emphasized that if these appointments were improperly signed, “they put people there that are not authorized to be there.”
Trump says he 'heard' Biden Fed appointments were signed by autopen, tells aide to investigate https://t.co/QL3AR836YY
— CNBC (@CNBC) December 10, 2025
Constitutional Concerns Over Automated Presidential Signatures
Trump’s allegations center on Biden’s alleged use of autopen technology to sign official appointment documents without proper presidential oversight.
The president has consistently maintained that autopen-signed documents from the Biden administration lack constitutional validity, as they circumvent the constitutional requirement for direct presidential approval.
This practice raises fundamental questions about executive authority and whether automated signatures can legally authorize positions of significant governmental power, particularly those affecting America’s economic policy.
Biden Appointees Control Federal Reserve Leadership
The four Biden appointees in question include Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Michael Barr, and Lisa Cook, who together comprise a majority of the Fed’s Board of Governors.
These appointments have given Biden’s allies effective control over America’s monetary policy during a critical period of economic uncertainty.
Powell’s term expires in May, while the other three governors continue serving in their Biden-appointed roles, making decisions that directly impact inflation, interest rates, and economic recovery efforts.
Trump’s criticism of Powell has been particularly pointed, derisively calling him “Too Late” for his handling of interest rate policies.
The president has repeatedly pressed the Fed to cut rates more aggressively, achieving some success with cuts in September and October, with another expected reduction scheduled for December 10.
Trump’s frustration stems from the Fed’s slow response to economic pressures that have contributed to the affordability crisis facing American families.
Investigation Could Reshape Federal Reserve Leadership
Treasury Secretary Bessent’s investigation could potentially invalidate multiple Fed appointments if autopen signatures are confirmed, fundamentally altering the central bank’s leadership structure.
Trump indicated willingness to accept partial victories, stating “we’ll take two” if only some appointments prove invalid.
This development represents a significant challenge to Biden-era monetary policy decisions and could provide Trump with justification to reshape Fed leadership more rapidly than traditional appointment cycles would allow.
