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Joe Biden drives a vintage 1960s Corvette.
Guido Fieldsforeign editor
US President Joe Biden (80) is in trouble. A few days ago it became known that he was storing secret documents in private rooms. He had recently criticized his predecessor Donald Trump (76) because he had also kept secret documents with him.
What is Biden blooming now? Blick answers the most important questions about the document affair.
Where were the documents found?
One document was found in a cabinet in a former US President’s office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington. Others were found in the garage at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, where his dark green 1967 vintage Corvette is parked. The documents date from the time when Biden was Vice President under Barack Obama (61).
What kind of documents are they?
How they got there and what they contain is not officially known. A White House official spoke of “fewer than a dozen” documents, none of which were “particularly sensitive” and “of great interest to the intelligence community”. According to media reports, it is about other states – such as Ukraine, Iran and Great Britain. There should also be a folder with the inscription “VP Personal” underneath. The White House says it gave the documents to the National Archives after they were found.
Why is this find so explosive?
For two reasons. The first documents were found on November 2, 2022, just a few days before the important midterm elections on November 8. Was the information only now so as not to jeopardize the elections? The second reason concerns ex-President Donald Trump (76). Thousands of documents – including around 300 secret ones – were also found on his property in Florida. Biden accused him of “irresponsible” handling of secret government documents.
How does Biden react?
His reaction seems awkward. He was “surprised to learn that there were government documents that were brought to this office.” Although he said that he was “fully cooperating” with the US judiciary, he also said that his Corvette was in a closed garage and not out on the street somewhere. Biden’s team’s communication policy has also been criticized. Withholding information goes against the President’s promise of transparency.
Does Biden have to go to jail?
Whether Biden is in serious legal trouble may depend on the content of the documents. Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland (70) has announced that a special investigator will investigate the affair. For comparison: Trump’s criminal offenses include obstruction of justice, loss of secret information and removal or destruction of official documents. All points can be punished with several years imprisonment.
What are the political consequences for Biden?
The finds come at a stupid time for him. He is about to announce whether he will run for a second term in the 2024 presidential election. Things were actually going well for him after a long dry spell in domestic politics, but the finds could cause massive damage to him and his party.
How does Trump react?
Biden’s predecessor reacted with relish. He said: “When will the FBI raid Joe Biden’s many homes, maybe even the White House? These documents were definitely not released.” His chances for the presidency are increasing again.