US President Joe Biden has voluntarily met multiple times with federal investigators from the Justice Department in relation to the discovery of classified documents in his home and personal office without proper approval. The interviews, which took place on Sunday and Monday, were confirmed by the White House and declared as “concluded” and “voluntary.”
The President has been cooperating with the ongoing investigation, as stated by White House spokesman Ian Sams. He emphasized that the administration is committed to being as transparent as possible while ensuring the integrity of the investigation.
The Justice Department initiated the probe into the documents’ case in November, after Biden’s lawyers reported the presence of secret files in one of his private offices. More material was later found at his Delaware home. To oversee the investigation into the “possible unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents,” Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed special counsel Robert Hur in January.
Over the past nine months, Hur has reportedly questioned Biden’s closest aides and advisers, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The New York Times revealed that the interviews were part of a quiet inquiry to establish the chain of custody for the sensitive documents and determine whether proper security protocols were followed during the handling and packing up of official documents and private notes from Biden’s vice presidency.
Prior to Monday, it was unclear whether Biden would agree to an in-person interview with the investigators. The White House had previously refused to comment on the matter. Hur’s team has also been tight-lipped about the details of the ongoing investigation.
Coinciding with the Biden probe, former President Donald Trump has also faced a major classified documents case. Trump was indicted on 37 felony counts in June for alleged mishandling of secret files. Federal agents had raided his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and discovered a significant number of classified papers. However, Trump maintains that he had authorization to possess the documents and denies any wrongdoing.
The investigation into both Biden and Trump highlights the seriousness with which the Justice Department treats the mishandling of classified information. As the investigations continue, it remains to be seen what conclusions will be reached regarding the presence of classified documents in Biden’s personal spaces and whether any wrongdoing or security breaches occurred.
In the interest of transparency, the White House and the President have been fully cooperating with the investigation, demonstrating their commitment to upholding the integrity of the legal process. The public will await further updates as the investigation progresses.
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