Investigation into Biden Classified Documents Concluded by Special Counsel

Paresh Jadhav

9 months ago

Attorneys representing Joe Biden and federal prosecutors investigating his handling of classified documents have been engaging in negotiations regarding how, when and where an interview might take place.

This investigation centers on Biden’s office and home where sensitive documents were discovered, following on an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s improper storage of national security records after leaving office.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Attorney General Merrick Garland Appoints Robert Hur as Special Counsel

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Robert Hur to investigate the discovery of classified material at former President Joe Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware residence and office after leaving office. According to a Washington Post article, Robert Hur’s conclusions reportedly criticised how Biden handled these documents but did not recommend any criminal charges be pursued against Biden for these incidents.

Hur, a Republican, served as US attorney for Maryland from 2018-2021 after being nominated and approved by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. According to his Justice Department biography, his work included cases against violent gangs such as MS-13 as well as white-collar crime such as financial institution fraud, public corruption and more.

Now a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher law firm in Washington D.C., specializing in government investigations and private prosecutions related to corporate fraud and related matters. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan applauded this appointment of a fellow Republican as having the “integrity and reputation” to conduct his investigation swiftly yet fairly.

Hur Submits Final Report to the White House

Hur has completed his investigation into whether former Vice President Joe Biden mishandled classified documents in Delaware and at a Washington, D.C. office after leaving the White House, as well as submitted his report for comments and executive privilege review by both entities. A spokesperson from the White House expects review to be complete by this week’s end, according to Hur.

Garland appointed Hur to lead the investigation after classified papers found their way to Biden’s Delaware home and office. While no criminal charges are anticipated against Biden as part of this inquiry, Biden consented to sit for an interview conducted by Hur’s team last fall.

Former US attorney of Maryland’s Eastern District, Hur was an accomplished litigator. In this capacity he spearheaded prosecutions of white supremacists, COVID-19 fund fraudsters, Asian hate crime perpetrators and created a state work group dedicated to combatting violence against Asian Americans.

White House Lawyers Review Final Report for Executive Privilege

Attorney General Merrick Garland informed congressional leaders Wednesday in a letter that special counsel Robert Hur had completed his inquiry. Garland indicated his commitment to making Hur’s report public as soon as the White House completes their review for potential executive privilege violations, which should take place before week’s end, according to a White House spokesman.

Biden’s lawyers discovered a cache of classified materials while closing an office he used as vice president at Penn Biden Center in Washington. They immediately alerted National Archives officials, cooperating with investigators, enabling access to his Delaware property so searches could occur there as well as helping gain entry.

Experts expect Biden will not face criminal charges from this investigation as he did not knowingly mishandle any classified materials entrusted to him and appeared to comply with federal investigators. Instead, their report could criticize his aides for poor record-keeping and storage.

Hur Delivers Final Report to Attorney General

Merrick Garland received the final report of Andrew Hur’s investigation of Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents to Attorney General Merrick Garland for review by White House lawyers for any potential executive privilege concerns, according to Garland’s letter sent out to congressional leaders. It will then become public.

As Justice Department policy prohibits indicting sitting presidents, it’s unlikely that Hur will recommend criminal charges against Biden over his handling of classified documents. Garland appointed Hur, a former Maryland US Attorney, to investigate allegations that Biden kept classified papers at both his home and office in Delaware as well as at the University of Pennsylvania center where he worked after leaving Obama’s administration.

Biden may benefit from the conclusion of the investigation as he seeks reelection in 2024, as it will lessen criticism of presumptive Republican opponent Donald Trump for an investigation into alleged hoarding of classified files at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.