House GOP Questions Whether Biden Admin Suppressed National Archive Statements in Classified Documents Case

A Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability raises new questions about whether President Joe Biden pressured the National Archives and Records Administration to not issue a public statement on his handling of classified documents.

After Gary Stern, NARA’s general counsel, appeared in a transcript interview with Oversight Committee on January 31, the questions surrounding the White House’s involvement in the case involving classified documents were raised. James Comer, chairman of Oversight Committee (R-Ky. said Stern said that she prepared a statement for NARA on Jan. 9. This was to address the recent news that documents bearing classified markings had been found in Biden’s old office and Delaware residence. Stern stated that Stern did not give Stern his initial statement, and Stern said in court that someone outside NARA prevented Stern from releasing the prepared statement. Stern did not identify the outside party who withheld NARA’s statement in the Biden case regarding classified documents.

Comer sent a letter Jeff Zients, White House Chief Staff asked Tuesday whether any member of the Biden Administration was responsible for suppressing NARA’s statement. Comer asked Zients specifically if there were any White House employees or representatives. “inform[ed] any employee of NARA to withhold any public statements regarding President Biden’s mishandling of classified documents.” Also, Comer asked for documents and communications from the White House regarding any possible request to NARA not release a public statement about Biden’s case involving classified documents.

The Jan. 31 interview saw Stern also being asked by the committee if Biden would be willing to release any statements made between NARA’s attorneys. Stern stated that Biden is. “free to release” He also added that he had communicated with NARA. “we treat them as confidential, but the recipients, you know, can act independently if they want to.”

Trump Classified Documents Case – Differences

Comer wrote to Zients that NARA had responded to the Biden case of classified documents. “in complete contrast” See how the agency responded in the past year to complaints about the handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump after his departure.

NARA granted an external request for NARA to withhold its statements on Biden’s handling classified documents. NARA however, shared the following: statement With the Washington Post within 24 hours of publication on February 7, 2022 report Trump stored classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, according to reports.

NARA stated in its February 2022 statement that Trump had the records “should have been transferred to NARA from the White House at the end of the Trump Administration in January 2021” And the agency indicated that they are continuing to look for more records from him.

Trump repeatedly said He has declassified documents recovered from Mar-a-Lago and said Biden did not declassify The documents that were found in his possession.

On Tuesday, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)—the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee—issued his own statement, claiming Stern and NARA were complying with Republican requests for information while being careful not to interfere with any ongoing investigations.

“Committee Republicans continue to make unfounded accusations of disparate treatment by the National Archives and the Department of Justice in their efforts to preserve presidential records and secure classified records,” Raskin wrote.

Raskin also claimed that Comer had made an arrest. “misleading claim that the Biden Administration improperly suppressed information” About his handling of classified papers.

NTD tried to reach out the White House, but was not able to get a reply by publication time.

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