US President Joe Biden has been interviewed regarding his management of classified materials post his vice-presidential role in 2017.
The interview, spanning Sunday and Monday, was conducted by Special Counsel Robert Hur at the White House. Hur’s involvement follows a separate probe into secret documents located at former President Donald Trump’s residence.
While President Biden has not faced any criminal charges, it’s worth noting that presidential interviews by investigators aren’t uncommon.
Ian Sams, President Biden’s spokesperson, emphasized the White House’s cooperation with the investigation, adding they’ve been transparent in providing updates to the public without compromising the investigation’s integrity. Questions about the probe were directed to the Justice Department.
These classified documents were initially found by Biden’s aides in an office he occupied after his vice-presidential term and prior to his presidential campaign.
On 2 November, the first set of these documents surfaced at the Penn Biden Center in Washington DC, a think-tank established by Biden. Subsequent findings include records discovered in his Wilmington home’s garage on 20 December and another in a storage area of the house on 12 January.
Upon discovery, Biden’s team immediately handed the documents to the National Archives and the Justice Department. It remains unclear why the President had retained them. The Presidential Records Act dictates that White House documents should be transferred to the National Archives post an administration’s term, ensuring secure storage. Biden expressed unawareness of the documents’ presence.
This interview comes amid heightened Middle East tensions. The New York Times suggested that its conclusion might indicate the probe nearing completion. However, Hur’s team has not yet made decisions on charging President Biden.
In a broader, separate investigation, Special Counsel Jack Smith has accused former President Trump of retaining highly-sensitive governmental documents post his presidential term. Trump, facing multiple charges concerning these documents, has consistently argued his right to retain them. His trial is set for May in Miami.
