Trump argues he should ‘not be charged’ in classified docs case if Biden isn’t
Former President Trump argues that he should not face charges in his federal classified documents case if President Biden isn't charged for his handling of classified materials.
Trump argues for equal treatment
Former President Trump made the case that he should not be charged in his federal classified documents case, citing the announcement from special counsel Robert Hur that President Biden would not be facing charges for Biden's handling of classified materials. Speaking at an event for the National Rifle Association, Trump stated that if Biden is not going to be charged, then he should not be charged either.
The investigation into Biden's handling of classified materials focused on how documents from his time as vice president ended up at his Delaware home. Hur determined that Biden had "willfully" retained the documents but did not bring forth any charges.
Trump highlighted that Biden is not under the Presidential Records Act, which provides protections, while he himself is subject to it. He criticized the Department of Justice for attempting to spin the case to make it seem like "wasn't Trump worse by comparison?"
Documents collected from Biden's property
Authorities seized a total of 90 documents from Biden's Delaware property, with 50 of them containing classified markings. They also took handwritten notes. These findings were part of the investigation into Biden's handling of classified materials.
In contrast, Trump is facing 40 charges related to mishandling classified records and obstructing the government from retrieving them after he left the White House. The files allegedly contained sensitive national defense and weapons information, with some marked as top secret.
The FBI conducted a search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago property in August 2022, and he has pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled to begin in May 2024, with a potential timeline reconsideration at a meeting on March 1.
Trump's response to the report on Biden's handling of documents
Following the release of special counsel Robert Hur's report on the inquiry into Biden's handling of classified documents, Trump expressed his anger online, claiming "selective prosecution." He criticized the decision not to bring charges against Biden, deeming it unfair.
Both Trump and Biden are front-runners in their respective party races for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The handling of classified documents has been a recurring topic in discussions comparing the two presidents.
