US President Joe Biden has voluntarily participated in an investigation into the handling of classified documents found at his home and former private office, according to the White House. The 80-year-old Democrat was questioned during a time when he was also dealing with the aftermath of an attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas.
The investigation, led by Special Counsel Robert Hur, was launched in January to examine the handling of the secret files that were from Biden’s time as vice president under Barack Obama and immediately after his tenure. The White House Counsel’s Office spokesman, Ian Sams, stated, “The president has been interviewed as part of the investigation… The voluntary interview was conducted at the White House over two days, Sunday and Monday, and concluded Monday.” Sams also emphasized that the president and the White House are fully cooperating with the investigation.
According to reports, President Biden’s personal interview indicates that the investigation may be nearing its conclusion. Special Counsel Hur’s team has previously conducted extensive interviews with Biden’s staff members.
The probe revolves around documents found in Biden’s possession, which were taken from the White House while he was vice president. The records were initially discovered in a private think tank office where Biden used to work in Washington in November 2022. Additional papers were found in the garage of his Wilmington, Delaware home, next to his Corvette sports car, on December 20. Another set of files was later discovered in his home library on January 12.
Though Biden dismissed the investigation in January, stating that there was “nothing there,” the handling of classified documents has become a significant issue in the upcoming 2024 US presidential elections. Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s potential Republican opponent, is separately facing trial over allegations of mishandling classified documents after leaving office.
Republicans have drawn comparisons between the document cases of Trump and Biden, criticizing what they perceive as preferential treatment given to the current president. Biden and his family are facing their own legal issues, which could further impact concerns about his low approval ratings and age. The impeachment investigation launched by Republicans centers around Hunter Biden’s business dealings with Ukraine and China.