President Joe Biden was interviewed voluntarily as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents by Special Counsel Robert Hur, as announced by the White House counsel's office. This interview took place over two days, concluding on Monday. The investigation, initiated by US Attorney General Merrick Garland in January, focuses on the improper storage of classified documents found at Biden's Wilmington, Delaware residence and a Washington-based think tank office that was set up for him after his vice presidency from 2009 to 2017.
Special counsels like Hur are typically appointed to address sensitive cases, often involving political figures or serious allegations against the government. They operate with a degree of independence greater than that afforded to regular federal investigators and have the authority to determine whether charges should be filed.
The fact that Hur interviewed President Biden suggests that the investigation, which has been progressing discreetly, may be reaching its concluding stages. Biden has consistently expressed his surprise regarding the discovery of classified materials and has maintained the expectation that these findings would ultimately be deemed inconsequential. His team has asserted their cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, emphasized their cooperation with the inquiry, stating, "As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation."
The White House declined to offer further comments and referred inquiries to the Justice Department, which had not responded at the time of reporting.
It is noteworthy that a broader inquiry into the handling of classified documents has been launched, primarily focusing on former President Donald Trump, a potential main Republican rival in the 2024 elections. Trump has faced criminal indictment in this case, among several other legal matters, with the federal documents case in Miami scheduled for trial in May. The former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
