In a significant development, U.S. President Joe Biden has voluntarily participated in an interview as part of an independent investigation scrutinizing his handling of classified documents. This move, announced by the White House late on Monday, is seen as a potential indicator that the investigation may be approaching its conclusion.
Special Counsel Robert Hur is spearheading the investigation, focusing on the alleged improper retention of classified materials by President Biden during his tenure as a U.S. Senator and Vice President. These documents were discovered not only at his Delaware residence but also in a private office used during the transition period between his service in the Obama administration and his assumption of the presidency.
President Biden has consistently maintained that he was unaware of the presence of these documents and has succinctly remarked that “there’s no there there.”
Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel’s office, issued a statement confirming that the interview was conducted voluntarily at the White House over the course of Sunday and Monday. It remains unclear when the special counsel’s team initiated contact with President Biden’s legal team for this interview, as well as the duration of their negotiations. Back on August 25, President Biden had denied the existence of any interview request, stating, “There’s no such request and no such interest.”
The interview’s occurrence may signify that the special counsel investigation is advancing toward its conclusion, raising questions about potential outcomes and recommendations.
Comparatively, in 2016, then-FBI Director James Comey made a controversial recommendation against criminal charges for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, in connection with her handling of classified information. This decision came merely three days after Clinton’s interview with FBI agents at their headquarters.
The scope of Hur’s investigation has been expansive, encompassing interviews with a wide array of witnesses regarding their knowledge of the handling of classified materials.
In his statement, Mr. Sams reiterated President Biden’s and the White House’s cooperation with the investigation, redirecting inquiries to the Justice Department. He affirmed, “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.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland took a significant step in January 2023 by appointing Mr. Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland, to oversee this politically sensitive inquiry, with the aim of avoiding potential conflicts of interest.
It’s essential to note that this investigation is one of three recent inquiries conducted by the Justice Department concerning the handling of classified materials by prominent political figures.
Importantly, the investigation into President Biden remains distinct from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump following his departure from the White House. Smith’s team has levied charges against Trump, alleging illegal retention of top-secret records at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, along with obstructing government efforts to recover them. Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
There has been no evidence to suggest that President Biden engaged in similar actions or deliberately held on to documents he was not authorized to possess.
When questioned in January about the discovery of these documents, President Biden assured reporters that they were promptly turned over to the National Archives and the Justice Department. He expressed full cooperation with the investigation and an eagerness to resolve the matter expeditiously, stating, “I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there. There’s no there there.”
In June, the Justice Department conveyed to former Vice President Mike Pence’s legal team that it would not pursue criminal charges against him concerning classified documents discovered at his Indiana residence. This decision coincided with Pence’s preparations for launching his 2024 Republican presidential nomination campaign.
In light of these developments, it is essential to emphasize that interviews with sitting presidents as part of criminal investigations are not without precedent. Past presidents, such as George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, have undergone interviews in various investigations, demonstrating a commitment to the rule of law and accountability.
President Biden’s voluntary participation in this investigation underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency and adherence to legal processes, as the nation watches closely for the outcome of this high-stakes inquiry.