At least two Senate Democrats have joined Republicans in calling for a full investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents after multiple batches were found in his think tank office and private Delaware residence.
Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), who are both up for reelection next year, have openly called for an investigation into the documents, noting the discoveries raise serious questions about national security. The two join calls from several congressional Republicans who have pressed for an inquiry into the matter.
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“The reports about President Biden’s mishandling of classified documents are extremely irresponsible and disturbing,” Manchin told Fox News on Friday. “These allegations should be investigated fully.”
Kaine echoed Manchin’s sentiments, praising the Justice Department’s decision to appoint a special counsel to investigate.
“This news raises serious questions, and the appointment of an unbiased special prosecutor to investigate the matter is the right step,” Kaine told the outlet.
The comments come after Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate the incident earlier this month, giving him the authority to analyze the materials extensively and prosecute any wrongdoing if necessary. Some Republicans have called for further action, prompting the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee to open an investigation into Biden’s mishandling of documents on Jan. 13.
“We are conducting oversight of the Justice Department’s actions with respect to former Vice President Biden’s mishandling of classified documents, including the apparently unauthorized possession of classified material at a Washington, D.C., private office and in the garage of his Wilmington, Delaware, residence,” Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) said in a statement.
Biden has maintained any investigation would reveal “there’s nothing there,” adding that he is “fully cooperating and looking forward to getting this resolved quickly.”
Biden has been under intense scrutiny after it was reported earlier this month that multiple sets of classified documents were found at his private office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement and his personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware. All of the documents that were found were stored away when Biden was vice president.
A handful of other Democrats have denounced the discoveries as “embarrassing,” with several party members supporting Garland’s decision to appoint a special counsel. However, most Democratic lawmakers have been adamant to draw distinctions between Biden and former President Donald Trump’s similar circumstances last year.
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It’s not yet clear what classified information was included in the materials that were recovered. Some of the documents obtained from Biden’s think tank office reportedly include intelligence and briefing materials on “topics including Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom,” according to CNN — prompting some critics to accuse Biden of jeopardizing national security.
Biden has maintained that he does not know what information is contained within the documents, noting he was “surprised” to learn of their discovery.
