Document affair has no legal consequences for Biden. Ukraine is now hunting Wagner mercenaries in Sudan

The affair surrounding the discovery of secret government documents in the private rooms of US President Joe Biden has no legal consequences for the Democrat. “We conclude that no criminal charges are warranted in this case,” said Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report, released Thursday in Washington. In late 2022, classified information from Biden’s time as vice president was discovered in several locations, including in private offices in the capital Washington and in Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware. However, the report contains explosive assessments of his mental state, which could have serious political consequences for him during the election campaign.

The finds were politically extremely sensitive for the Democrat, as his Republican predecessor Donald Trump had caused a scandal with a similar case – and will have to answer in court for his handling of documents. Both Biden and Trump want to participate again in the American presidential elections in November.

Presidents and vice presidents are required to hand over classified documents to the National Archives after their terms in office. They are not allowed to store confidential government data privately after they leave the government. Biden served as President Barack Obama’s deputy from 2009 to 2017 before entering the White House as number one in the state in early 2021.

About a year ago, several tranches of confidential documents from Biden’s time as vice president appeared in the Democrat’s private rooms — including in the garage of his Wilmington home. Initially, employees came across documents, later detectives were called in and searched buildings at various locations. Attorney General Merrick Garland ultimately appointed the special counsel to investigate the sensitive allegations.

Extenuating circumstances due to ‘bad memory’?

His report now said the investigation found that Biden “intentionally retained and disclosed classified materials while a private citizen” after his vice presidency. However, the evidence did not prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There are ‘mitigating factors’. The report characterizes Biden, among other things, as an “older man with a poor memory.” In the current presidential elections, the Democrat is already facing the debate about his old age, which raises doubts about his suitability for the powerful office.

Biden and the White House were heavily criticized for their information policies in the case. Government headquarters initially responded very sparingly to the accusations. Some finds were only discovered by the public when the media reported them. Biden also sparked some dismay over his terse statements. After the sensational discovery in his Wilmington garage – where his classic Corvette is also parked – he told reporters: “My Corvette is in a locked garage, OK.” It is not the case that the documents were on the street.

The document discoveries were also explosive for Biden because Trump had caused a stir with a similar case and has since been charged with illegally storing highly sensitive information from his time as president (2017 to 2021). The Republican is accused of storing top secret government documents from his time in office at his private Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and failing to return them when asked. The 77-year-old is also charged with conspiracy to obstruct the investigation. Trump pleaded ‘not guilty’. The trial starts on May 20. Midway through the election year, Trump faces three more criminal cases. Biden had sharply criticized Trump’s handling of classified documents before documents on him were found. (sda/dpa)