The investigation into Joe Biden’s mishandling of classified documents has taken an interesting turn. Special Counsel Robert Hur, who has been conducting the investigation for a year, is reportedly not expected to bring charges against Biden or his staff. Instead, they will face sharp criticism for their handling of sensitive materials. This situation has drawn comparisons to the 2016 controversy involving Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information. Former FBI Director James Comey criticized Clinton’s actions but did not recommend charges, leading to accusations of leniency for high-ranking officials in matters of national security.
The investigation has focused on classified documents from Biden’s tenure as Vice President. These documents were found at his former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, DC, and his residence in Wilmington, Delaware. Hur’s team is expected to release a detailed report that will be critical of the way Biden and his staff managed these sensitive materials. This development is likely to fuel further criticism from former President Donald Trump and his allies, who have previously drawn comparisons between Biden’s case and the federal investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents.
In October, Biden voluntarily sat down for an interview with Hur at the White House. The interview was conducted over two days and concluded with Biden cooperating fully with the investigation. The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has also demanded documentation related to Biden’s mishandling of classified documents and the Bidens’ influence-peddling schemes.
It is worth noting that the investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents has been slower in comparison to the probes into Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence. In January, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Hur as a special counsel after classified documents from the Obama administration were discovered at Biden’s former office and residence. Both Biden and Pence cooperated with federal investigators by providing interviews regarding their handling of classified material. Pence’s cooperation ultimately led to his exoneration.
Trump has attempted to equate the investigation into his handling of classified documents with those involving Pence and Biden. However, there are significant differences in the cases. When classified documents were discovered in Biden’s office, he allegedly returned them to the government and allowed federal authorities to search his properties for additional materials. In contrast, the FBI had to obtain a warrant to retrieve documents from Trump after he resisted efforts to reclaim them.
Despite these differences, Biden’s aides have expressed frustration with the appointment of a special counsel. They argue that there was no wrongdoing on Biden’s part, similar to the closure of the investigation into Pence by the Justice Department.
While it appears that Biden may not face charges in this investigation, there is a possibility that he will be publicly rebuked for negligence. This would echo James Comey’s critique of Hillary Clinton’s management of classified information during the 2016 campaign. Biden’s advisors privately worry about the potential for such a rebuke, despite their confidence in his exoneration.