[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] As classified documents from Joe Biden's vice presidential period have been repeatedly discovered in his personal office and residence, political debates within the U.S. are intensifying. The Republican Party, citing fairness with former President Donald Trump, is pressuring for congressional-level investigations while demanding the Biden administration disclose all related information, including visitor records to the residence.
Local media such as The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 16th (local time) that classified documents handled by President Biden during his vice presidency were additionally found at his Wilmington, Delaware residence following the Washington DC office, escalating Republican criticism aimed at the president and his administration. The materials found at the residence reportedly included some top-secret documents and contained information related to Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom.
The House Judiciary Committee, led by the Republicans, has already launched an official investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents. Republican Representative Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland signaling oversight of the Department of Justice's investigation. Jordan criticized the DOJ on Fox News the previous day, pointing out that the department is treating Biden and former President Trump differently, calling it a "double standard."
Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw also pointed out, "It has been revealed that President Biden stored additional classified documents in his home garage, yet there has been no raid or search of the house," calling it "hypocrisy at the highest level and very dangerous." He emphasized the need for a comprehensive congressional investigation, stating it should be supplemented by a full-scale inquiry.
These remarks allude to the FBI's search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence last year. Considering Biden's indirect criticism of Trump regarding document leaks, this is seen as a form of "double standards." Additionally, Republican lawmakers have criticized the Biden administration for concealing the discovery of classified documents until recent media reports, despite first finding them before the November midterm elections last year. Some have also criticized the lack of released photos related to the classified documents found at the residence, unlike during Trump's case.
The day before, James Comer, a Republican and chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain demanding the release of visitor logs and related information for the Wilmington residence since Biden's inauguration. Comer stated, "There are questions about who reviewed or accessed classified documents that were improperly stored at the president's home for at least six years." In an interview with CNN the previous day, he criticized Biden's Wilmington residence, where additional classified documents were found, as a "crime scene."
However, the White House legal team stated in a press release that day, "Like all presidents in modern history over decades, his residence is private," and that the Wilmington residence where classified documents were found does not maintain visitor logs. The legal team explained, "President Biden restored the White House visitor record-keeping rules and traditions that were discontinued by the previous administration after his inauguration," but noted that these policies do not apply to the presidential residence.
Currently, the Democratic Party has expressed regret over the document leak incident but is urging caution as investigations are already underway, aiming to prevent further escalation. On the 12th, Attorney General Garland appointed Korean-American lawyer Robert Hur, a former senior deputy attorney general and U.S. attorney for Maryland, as a special counsel to lead the investigation.
Meanwhile, on the same day, President Biden, marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day at an event in Washington DC, announced his intention to counter the Republican legislative offensive with veto power. Biden said, "I am very disappointed that the first bill introduced by House Republicans sacrifices ordinary middle-class taxpayers to help the rich and big corporations evade taxes," adding, "If any of these bills reach my desk (for signing), I want to make it clear that I will veto them."
The bills mentioned include the IRS budget cut bill, which passed the House on the 9th with unanimous Republican support, and a bill limiting the president's authority to release strategic petroleum reserves. Since the Democrats hold the majority in the Senate, the likelihood of these bills passing the Senate is considered low.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
