Column: Will Mike Pence’s classified documents discovery let Biden off the hook?
1 year, 11 months ago

Column: Will Mike Pence’s classified documents discovery let Biden off the hook?

LA Times  

The discovery of classified documents in former Vice President Mike Pence’s Indiana residence is a clarifying and pivotal event that throws into sharp relief conduct that in recent weeks has been lumped together. Pence ordered the investigation of his home, which turned up some 12 documents marked classified, in the wake of the brouhaha over similar discoveries of classified documents at President Biden’s Delaware home and former office. There is no reason to doubt the assertion by Pence’s lawyer, Greg Jacob, in a letter to the National Archives that “Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence.” That explanation, of course, is the same as Biden’s response to a rolling discovery of classified documents at his office and residence — to which conservative pundits and opponents have cried “scandal!” Of course, there is a very bright line to be drawn between the unknowing conduct of officials like Biden and Pence on the one hand, and the intentional and likely criminal behavior of former President Donald Trump, who, from the available evidence, not only was aware that he had classified documents but purposefully spirited them away, and, more importantly, engaged in a 20-month campaign to stonewall legitimate efforts by the U.S. government to have them returned. This is not to say that Biden’s and Pence’s conduct is OK. As they both acknowledge, it is a potentially grave risk to national security to have classified documents walk out of the White House and be stored willy-nilly in some random place rather than in the National Archives.

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History of this topic

Trump documents case: Turns out Trump had classified documents in his bedroom, too.
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Trump documents case: Turns out Trump had classified documents in his bedroom, too.

Slate  

Keeping up with Donald Trump’s court schedule is a dizzying task, since he faces two federal trials, a criminal trial in Georgia, and two separate civil and criminal trials in New York. This week, as Donald Trump’s hush money trial begins winding down in New York, newly unsealed court documents are adding a new wrinkle to the former president’s stalled …

Trump judge issues classified documents order that leaves legal experts baffled
9 months ago

Trump judge issues classified documents order that leaves legal experts baffled

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing Donald …

Congressional hearing on Biden classified documents probe turns into proxy campaign battle
9 months, 1 week ago

Congressional hearing on Biden classified documents probe turns into proxy campaign battle

LA Times  

Lawmakers turned a hearing on President Biden’s handling of classified documents into a proxy battle between the Democratic president and Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Tuesday, as a newly released transcript of Biden’s testimony last fall showed that he repeatedly insisted he never meant to retain classified information after he left the vice presidency. California’s Rep. Tom McClintock called it …

Biden forms task force to avoid mishandling of classified documents during presidential transitions
10 months, 1 week ago

Biden forms task force to avoid mishandling of classified documents during presidential transitions

The Hindu  

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday launched a task force aimed at addressing the "systemic" problem of mishandling classified information during presidential transitions, days after a Justice Department special counsel's sharply critical report said he had done just that. The Presidential Records Transition Task Force will study past transitions to determine best practices for safeguarding classified information from an outgoing …

Biden forms task force to avoid mishandling of classified documents during presidential transitions
10 months, 1 week ago

Biden forms task force to avoid mishandling of classified documents during presidential transitions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Monday launched a task force aimed at addressing the “systemic” problem of mishandling classified information during presidential transitions, days after a Justice Department special counsel’s sharply critical report said he had done just that. The Presidential Records Transition Task Force will study past transitions to determine best practices for safeguarding classified information from an …

Biden and Trump: How the two classified documents investigations came to different endings
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Biden and Trump: How the two classified documents investigations came to different endings

Associated Press  

Follow AP for live coverage of Hur’s testimony. BIDEN: FBI agents found classified documents about Afghanistan in Biden’s Delaware garage in 2022, along with drafts of a handwritten memo Biden sent to President Barack Obama to persuade Obama not to send more troops into the country, Hur’s report said. Investigators said the notebooks included national security and foreign policy information …

EXPLAINER | Biden and Trump: How the two classified documents investigations came to different endings
10 months, 2 weeks ago

EXPLAINER | Biden and Trump: How the two classified documents investigations came to different endings

New Indian Express  

Classified documents were found in a damaged cardboard box in President Joe Biden's cluttered Delaware garage, near where golf clubs hung on the wall. In Biden's case, special counsel Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland nominated by Trump, concluded in a report released Thursday that the president should not face criminal charges, despite finding evidence that Biden willfully …

In pictures: Classified documents found in Biden’s garage and home
10 months, 2 weeks ago

In pictures: Classified documents found in Biden’s garage and home

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Black notebooks containing sensitive information open image in gallery Notebooks seized from Biden’s Delaware …

Read the special counsel’s report into Biden classified documents in full
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Read the special counsel’s report into Biden classified documents in full

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President …

Biden 'willfully' disclosed classified materials, but no criminal charges warranted: Special Counsel
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Biden 'willfully' disclosed classified materials, but no criminal charges warranted: Special Counsel

The Hindu  

President Joe Biden “willfully” retained and disclosed highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, including documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan and other sensitive national security matters, according to a Justice Department report that nonetheless says no criminal charges are warranted for him or anyone else. “Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and …

Biden retained classified documents ‘willfully’, finds independent probe; yet, no charges
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Biden retained classified documents ‘willfully’, finds independent probe; yet, no charges

Hindustan Times  

President Joe Biden “willfully” retained and disclosed highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, including documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan and other sensitive national security matters, according to a Justice Department report that nonetheless says no criminal charges are warranted for him or anyone else. Hur’s report says evidence suggests that many of the classified …

Special counsel investigating Biden’s handling of classified documents has completed probe, AG says
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Special counsel investigating Biden’s handling of classified documents has completed probe, AG says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department special counsel investigating President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents has completed his inquiry and a report is expected to be released soon to Congress and the public, Attorney General Merrick Garland told lawmakers in a letter Wednesday. Though the probe’s outcome is expected to lift a legal cloud over Biden, criticism of his handling …

Pence backs up Meadows claim that Trump didn’t declassify documents
1 year, 4 months ago

Pence backs up Meadows claim that Trump didn’t declassify documents

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former Vice President Mike Pence said on Sunday that he …

With Trump newly indicted, here’s what to know about the documents case and what’s next
1 year, 4 months ago

With Trump newly indicted, here’s what to know about the documents case and what’s next

Associated Press  

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on three additional charges in a case that accuses him of illegally possessing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, allegations that add fresh detail to the criminal case initially issued last month. A federal judge in Florida has set a trial date for next May for former President Donald Trump in a case …

Mike Pence has sudden change of heart over Trump classified documents: ‘I can’t defend it’
1 year, 6 months ago

Mike Pence has sudden change of heart over Trump classified documents: ‘I can’t defend it’

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After arguing that bringing federal criminal charges against the former president would send a …

What to know about Trump’s appearance in federal court in Miami to face felony charges
1 year, 6 months ago

What to know about Trump’s appearance in federal court in Miami to face felony charges

Associated Press  

Donald Trump made a first appearance in federal court in Miami on Tuesday facing 37 counts related to the mishandling and retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Here’s a look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and how Trump’s case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents: WHAT HAPPENED IN …

How Trump’s Classified Documents Case Differs From Those Of Clinton, Biden And Pence
1 year, 6 months ago

How Trump’s Classified Documents Case Differs From Those Of Clinton, Biden And Pence

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former President Donald Trump was indicted Thursday on charges related to violations of the Espionage Act and the mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House after he lost reelection. Ron DeSantis ran to his defense and asked why the Department of Justice was “so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?” …

Trump indictment unsealed: The classified documents are shockingly sensitive—and their mishandling is even more dangerous for national security than we thought.
1 year, 6 months ago

Trump indictment unsealed: The classified documents are shockingly sensitive—and their mishandling is even more dangerous for national security than we thought.

Slate  

Former President Donald Trump’s indictment, which was unsealed Friday afternoon, is even more shocking than his lawyers suggested in advance. As another former president, Barack Obama, once said, “There’s classified, and there’s classified.” By that measure, many of the documents that Trump took with him from the White House were classified—italicized and boldfaced. In other words, some of these documents—as …

Trump charged over classified documents in 1st federal indictment of an ex-president
1 year, 6 months ago

Trump charged over classified documents in 1st federal indictment of an ex-president

Associated Press  

MIAMI — Donald Trump said Thursday that he was indicted for mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, a remarkable development that makes him the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges by the federal government that he once oversaw. Prosecutors have said that Trump took roughly 300 classified documents to Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House, …

What is classified documents case in which Donald Trump has been indicted
1 year, 6 months ago

What is classified documents case in which Donald Trump has been indicted

Hindustan Times  

Donald Trump's indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has brought renewed attention to one of the most notable cases in Justice Department history. Here's a look at the charges, the special counsel's investigation and how Trump's case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents: WHAT ARE THE CHARGES? …

Donald Trump’s indictment: What you need to know
1 year, 6 months ago

Donald Trump’s indictment: What you need to know

Al Jazeera  

Trump indictment remains sealed, but he is believed to be charged in relation to mishandling of classified documents. Donald Trump’s indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has brought renewed attention to one of the most notable cases in the United States justice department’s history. In January 2022, the National Archives retrieved 15 boxes of documents …

The investigation into Trump's classified documents: A timeline
1 year, 6 months ago

The investigation into Trump's classified documents: A timeline

Raw Story  

Former President Donald Trump was indicted on federal charges that he stored classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home and obstructed attempts from the National Archives to recover them. 14 of 15 boxes contained documents bearing classification markings 184 unique documents bearing classification markings 67 documents marked as Confidential 92 documents marked as Secret 25 documents marked as Top Secret February …

Trump says he faces indictment in classified document case
1 year, 6 months ago

Trump says he faces indictment in classified document case

Al Jazeera  

The former US president has asserted on his Truth Social platform that he is being summoned to appear in federal court. Former United States President Donald Trump has alleged on his Truth Social platform that he faces indictment on federal charges that he mishandled classified documents upon exiting the White House. “I did nothing wrong.” A months-long probe Thursday’s announcement …

Justice Department says it won’t charge Pence over handling of classified documents
1 year, 6 months ago

Justice Department says it won’t charge Pence over handling of classified documents

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice has informed former Vice President Mike Pence ‘s legal team that it will not pursue criminal charges related to the discovery of classified documents at his Indiana home. Attorney General Merrick Garland had named a special counsel to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the discovery of hundreds of documents with classified markings at …

US investigators end probe into former VP Pence classified docs
1 year, 6 months ago

US investigators end probe into former VP Pence classified docs

Al Jazeera  

The lack of charges in the probe removes one headache for Pence before his anticipated presidential campaign launch. The United States Department of Justice has ended a probe into the handling of classified documents found at the home of former Vice President Mike Pence, without filing any charges. Pence’s entrance into the race would see the staunchly religious conservative take …

Senators push overhaul of classification rules after Trump, Biden cases
1 year, 7 months ago

Senators push overhaul of classification rules after Trump, Biden cases

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Responding to a series of intelligence breaches over the last year, senators on Wednesday introduced legislation that would require the National Archives to screen documents leaving the White House for classified material. “Underfunding leads to lax control.” Long a priority of many on the intelligence committee, overhauling declassification was raised by some senators who spoke Wednesday as a …

Biden administration shares mishandled classified documents with Gang of Eight
1 year, 8 months ago

Biden administration shares mishandled classified documents with Gang of Eight

Firstpost  

Washington: According to five people with knowledge of the situation, the Biden administration has started sharing classified documents with the Gang of Eight, a bipartisan group of lawmakers. He said that while he was “glad to see progress,” it is “still unacceptable for me that it took this long.” A Justice Department special counsel, Jack Smith, is investigating whether Trump …

AP source: FBI searched U. of Delaware in Biden docs probe
1 year, 10 months ago

AP source: FBI searched U. of Delaware in Biden docs probe

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The FBI searched the University of Delaware in recent weeks for classified documents as part of its investigation into the potential mishandling of sensitive government records by President Joe Biden. Biden’s personal lawyers disclosed in January that a small batch of documents with classified markings had been found weeks earlier in his former Washington office, and they have …

FBI finds another classified document at home of Mike Pence
1 year, 10 months ago

FBI finds another classified document at home of Mike Pence

Firstpost  

Pence’s spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement that agents had turned up the material in a ’thorough and unrestricted’ five-hour search of the Carmel, Indiana house, conducted with Pence’s consent Washington: The FBI found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday, two weeks after the Republican acknowledged having a “small number” …

New classified document found in FBI search of Pence home
1 year, 10 months ago

New classified document found in FBI search of Pence home

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The FBI discovered an additional document with classified markings at former Vice President Mike Pence ’s Indiana home during a search Friday, following the discovery by his lawyers last month of sensitive government documents there. Pence adviser Devin O’Malley said the Department of Justice completed “a thorough and unrestricted search of five hours” and removed “one document with …

Archives wanted Boston Biden docs, not believed classified
1 year, 10 months ago

Archives wanted Boston Biden docs, not believed classified

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} As …

Archives wanted Boston Biden docs, not believed classified
1 year, 10 months ago

Archives wanted Boston Biden docs, not believed classified

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — As the National Archives became aware of classified documents in President Joe Biden’s old office in Washington, Archives officials also took custody of papers that had been shipped to a law office in Boston by the president’s personal attorney, according to emails released Friday. Would it be possible to do that tomorrow?” Archives General Counsel Gary Stern wrote …

How they compare: Trump, Biden, Pence classified documents
1 year, 10 months ago

How they compare: Trump, Biden, Pence classified documents

Associated Press  

Classified documents keep showing up where they shouldn’t be. The FBI search on Friday for additional classified documents at former Vice President Mike Pence’s home in Indiana — after ot hers were found by his lawyers recently — followed the revelation of classified materials at President Joe Biden’s Delaware home and former office and the seizure last year of hundreds …

FBI Finds Additional Classified Document At Pence's Home
1 year, 10 months ago

FBI Finds Additional Classified Document At Pence's Home

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — The FBI discovered an additional document with classified markings at former Vice President Mike Pence ’s Indiana home during a search Friday, following the discovery by his lawyers last month of sensitive government documents there. Pence adviser Devin O’Malley said the Department of Justice completed “a thorough and unrestricted search of five hours” and removed …

FBI finds classified document during search of Mike Pence’s home
1 year, 10 months ago

FBI finds classified document during search of Mike Pence’s home

Al Jazeera  

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has found one additional document with classified markings during a search of former US Vice President Mike Pence’s residence, a Pence adviser said. Pence adviser Devin O’Malley said on Friday that the US Department of Justice had removed “one document with classified markings and six additional pages without such markings that were not …

Biden's Handwritten Notes Part Of Classified Docs Probe
1 year, 10 months ago

Biden's Handwritten Notes Part Of Classified Docs Probe

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is a man who writes down his thoughts. I need to slow down, ramp down my schedule.’” It’s unknown whether handwritten notes may have been turned over to the Department of Justice by former Vice President Mike Pence or whether any of former President Donald Trump’s writings from his time in office …

Biden’s handwritten notes part of classified docs probe
1 year, 10 months ago

Biden’s handwritten notes part of classified docs probe

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is a man who writes down his thoughts. I need to slow down, ramp down my schedule.’” It’s unknown whether handwritten notes may have been turned over to the Department of Justice by former Vice President Mike Pence or whether any of former President Donald Trump’s writings from his time in office was found during …

Biden approval steady after document discovery: AP-NORC Poll
1 year, 10 months ago

Biden approval steady after document discovery: AP-NORC Poll

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — More U.S. adults disapprove than approve of the way President Joe Biden has handled the discovery of classified documents at his home and former office, a new poll shows, but that seems to have had little impact on his overall approval rating. “To me, it seems like he’s doing the right things, and this happens, people have these …

Joe Biden FBI search, classified documents and his son: What we know so far
1 year, 10 months ago

Joe Biden FBI search, classified documents and his son: What we know so far

Hindustan Times  

The US Justice Department did not find classified documents during a search of President Joe Biden's house in Delaware, his lawyer said. Joe Biden FBI Search: US President Joe Biden is seen, “No documents with classified markings were found. The issue has escalated into a political headache for Joe Biden as the Democrats have previously targeted former US president Donald …

No classified documents found during search of Biden's home, says attorney
1 year, 10 months ago

No classified documents found during search of Biden's home, says attorney

Hindustan Times  

The U.S. Justice Department did not find documents with classified markings during a three-and-a-half hour search of President Joe Biden's beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware, on Wednesday but did take some materials for further review, Biden's attorney said. The morning search by FBI agents appeared to represent an expansion of the probe into Biden's handling of classified documents. Biden's personal …

Key dates in discovery of classified records tied to Biden
1 year, 10 months ago

Key dates in discovery of classified records tied to Biden

Associated Press  

Key dates related to the discovery of classified documents tied to President Joe Biden, based on statements from the White House, the president, his lawyers and Attorney General Merrick Garland: — Jan. 20, 2017: Biden’s two terms as vice president to President Barack Obama end. — Nov. 2, 2022: Biden’s personal attorneys come across Obama-Biden administration documents in a locked …

AP source: FBI searched Biden’s former office in November
1 year, 10 months ago

AP source: FBI searched Biden’s former office in November

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The FBI searched President Joe Biden’s former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington in November, according to a person familiar with the matter, at least a week after his personal lawyers first found classified records there from his time as vice president. It was not immediately clear whether the FBI search of Biden’s office — which …

Mike Pence Takes 'Full Responsibility' For Classified Documents Found In His Home
1 year, 10 months ago

Mike Pence Takes 'Full Responsibility' For Classified Documents Found In His Home

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MIAMI — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that he takes “full responsibility” after classified documents were found at his Indiana home. “Let me be clear: Those classified documents should not have been in my personal residence,” Pence said at Florida International University, where he was talking about the economy and promoting his new book, “So …

Pence: ‘Mistakes were made’ in classified records handling
1 year, 10 months ago

Pence: ‘Mistakes were made’ in classified records handling

Associated Press  

MIAMI — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that he takes “full responsibility” after classified documents were found at his Indiana home. “Let me be clear: Those classified documents should not have been in my personal residence,” Pence said at Florida International University, where he was talking about the economy and promoting his new book, “So Help Me God.” …

Mike Pence takes ownership of classified documents error
1 year, 10 months ago

Mike Pence takes ownership of classified documents error

Daily Mail  

Former Vice President Mike Pence took ownership of the documents imbroglio that has suddenly thrown him in company with former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden after the discovery of classified documents in his Indiana home. With two special counsels probing Trump and Biden, Pence said Friday he had not been aware that classified documents were at his Indiana …

Past US presidents, VPs asked to recheck for classified docs
1 year, 10 months ago

Past US presidents, VPs asked to recheck for classified docs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The National Archives has asked former U.S. presidents and vice presidents to recheck their personal records for any classified documents following the news that President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence had such documents in their possession. The Archives sent a letter Thursday to representatives of former presidents and vice presidents extending back to Ronald Reagan …

Pence aides didn't started packing up files until after January 6
1 year, 10 months ago

Pence aides didn't started packing up files until after January 6

Daily Mail  

Former Vice President Mike Pence's team didn't start packing up his documents until after January 6, due to then President Donald Trump's insistence that everyone in the administration act like they were staying for a second term. Former Vice President Mike Pence's team didn't start packing up his documents until after January 6, due to then President Donald Trump's insistence …

National Archives weighs searching all ex-presidents and VPs for classified documents
1 year, 10 months ago

National Archives weighs searching all ex-presidents and VPs for classified documents

Daily Mail  

The National Archives is considering requiring all living former presidents and vice presidents to search their personal records for classified documents after such materials were found at the residences of Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Mike Pence all within the last year. The National Archives is considering requiring searches of all former living presidents and vice presidents' materials to check …

How classified documents became a schoolgirl's show and tell
1 year, 10 months ago

How classified documents became a schoolgirl's show and tell

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On a winter's day …

Explained: How Joe Biden's handling of classified documents complicates Donald Trump's case
1 year, 11 months ago

Explained: How Joe Biden's handling of classified documents complicates Donald Trump's case

Firstpost  

Even if nothing comes of the new special counsel investigation into President Joe Biden’s team’s mishandling of classified documents, politically it has effectively let former Donald Trump off the hook for hoarding secret papers Washington: FBI agents are rummaging through President Joe Biden’s private home. But amid the familiar soundtrack of scandal in Washington, the most significant cost to the …

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