President Joe Biden will not seek any redactions in a report by the Justice Department special counsel investigating his handling of classified documents, the White House said Thursday, clearing the way for its release.
Quick Read
- Biden’s Transparency Commitment: President Joe Biden has decided against seeking any redactions in the special counsel’s report on his handling of classified documents, adhering to his pledge for cooperation and transparency.
- White House Review Completed: The White House Counsel’s office announced the completion of their review of the report, with spokesman Ian Sams emphasizing Biden’s refusal to assert privilege over any part of it.
- Potential DOJ Redactions: Despite Biden’s stance, the Justice Department may still redact classified information before the report’s public release.
- Investigation Focus: The special counsel’s yearlong investigation examined Biden’s retention of classified documents from his tenure as senator and vice president, with sensitive records found at his Delaware home and a private office.
- Context with Trump Probe: This investigation occurs alongside a broader Justice Department inquiry into former President Donald Trump, who faces charges related to the retention of classified documents post-presidency.
- Impending Public Release: With the White House review concluded, the report’s release to Congress and the public is imminent, as Attorney General Merrick Garland has expressed a commitment to maximum disclosure of the document.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden won’t call for redactions in special counsel’s classified docs report
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden will not seek any redactions in a report by the Justice Department special counsel investigating his handling of classified documents, the White House said Thursday, clearing the way for its release.
White House Counsel’s office spokesman Ian Sams said the White House had notified the Justice Department that it had completed a review of the report Thursday morning. “In keeping with his commitment to cooperation and transparency throughout this investigation, the president declined to assert privilege over any portion of the report,” he said.
The public report may still include some redactions by the Justice Department of any classified information.
The yearlong investigation centered on the improper retention of classified documents by Biden from his time as a senator and as vice president. Sensitive records were found in 2022 and 2023 at his Delaware home and at a private office that he used between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.
The investigation came amid a wider Justice Department probe that has led to charges against former President Donald Trump, who is accused of unlawfully retaining highly classified documents after he left office and refusing to hand them over to federal officials when demanded.
The White House review for potential executive privilege concerns appeared to be the final hurdle before the Biden report would be released to Congress and the public. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a letter to Congress Wednesday that he was committed to disclosing as much of the document as possible once the White House review was complete.
