President Joe Biden underwent a voluntary interview with the independent prosecutor’s team investigating his handling of classified documents while out of office, the White House shared on Monday night.
White House spokesperson Ian Sams said, “The voluntary interview was conducted at the White House over two days, Sunday and Monday, and concluded Monday.”
He added, “As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation.”
According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Special Counsel Robert Hur supervised and participated in President Biden’s interview, which had been scheduled several weeks in advance. The office of Hur declined to comment.
According to sources who spoke with ABC News, the interview is seen as a potential indication that the investigation is nearing its conclusion.
Nonetheless, sources have noted that the timing of the investigation’s conclusion and the drafting of a report are not imminent. According to these sources, it may take until the end of the year for the investigation to be wrapped up.
Late last month, ABC News reported that, based on information from sources knowledgeable about the situation, the federal investigation into President Biden’s handling of sensitive government records had expanded into a comprehensive examination of security protocols from the Obama era and internal White House procedures. This expanded inquiry has involved the interviewing of numerous witnesses.
Robert Hur – appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee the investigation involving President Biden – has pledged to conduct an investigation that is “fair, impartial, and dispassionate.” He expressed his commitment to diligently following the facts “without fear or favor.”
Initial reports regarding classified documents found at a personal office used by President Biden after his vice presidency emerged in January.
A sequence of revelations led to Robert Hur’s appointment as special counsel. In late 2022, the White House informed the National Archives about the discovery of documents with classification markings at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C. This center served as President Biden’s private office after he concluded his term as vice president in early 2017.
Biden’s attorney subsequently conveyed to investigators that additional classified records had been located in the garage of Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware, residence. This development marked a significant turning point, leading the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel for further investigation, according to sources who spoke with ABC News in January.
In total, approximately 25 documents marked as classified were discovered in various locations associated with Biden.
Biden has attempted to downplay his legal exposure in this matter. One week after Robert Hur’s appointment, when questioned by reporters about why he did not disclose the documents before the November midterm elections, Biden responded by saying, “We found a handful of documents” that had been “filed in the wrong place.” He also stated that he was cooperating with both the National Archives and the Justice Department.
He declared, “I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there.”
