House Republicans, led by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), asked the White House to turn over all information regarding its search history that unearthed classified documents at President Joe Biden’s home.
Last November, three batches of documents were discovered across Biden’s Delaware home and former office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. The documents’ discovery was publicized this January.
They discovered classified documents at the Biden Center and at Joe Biden’s house in November and December.
But the American public didn’t hear about it until January.
And we only heard about it because the news media told us, not the White House.
Transparency?
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) January 16, 2023
Comer said he wants to see all communications and documents regarding the searches by the Biden team. He also requested the inclusion of visitor logs of Biden’s Wilmington home in Delaware from January 2021 till the present date. Comer mentioned that the aim is to ascertain how the records arrived on the president’s property and who might have accessed them.
Comer, speaking on behalf of the GOP lawmakers, said the document’s discovery raised many questions.
Biden’s personal attorneys and White House staff had access to the classified materials. Comer said they accessed and searched Biden’s Delaware home for any other documents despite not having a security clearance.
“As Chief of Staff, you are head of the Executive Office of the President and bear responsibility to be transparent with the American people on these important issues related to the White House’s handling of this matter,” Comer said in his letter to White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
The White House not addressing the issue until the news detailing the discovery went public angered several GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
"Why was President Trump’s home raided but not President Biden’s?
Why did the FBI take pictures of President Trump’s so-called classified documents but not President Biden’s?
Republicans just want fair and equal treatment under the law." –@Jim_Jordan https://t.co/VRaxbRsI7g
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) January 16, 2023
Republicans have noted the dates ascribed to the documents’ discovery may be misleading, suggesting hypocrisy. The documents were found at Biden’s residence last November but withheld from the Justice Department until days after.
The GOP has compared the discovery on Biden’s property to the raid at former President Donald Trump’s home. Republicans suggest foul play in the Justice Department’s treatment, treating the ex-president more harshly despite the similarity of the situations due to political differences.
Comer believes Biden’s mishandling of classified materials raises concerns over a potentially jeopardized national security. According to Comer, a list of individuals who have visited the president’s residence is the only way the American people will ever know who accessed these sensitive documents.
