Multiple sets of classified documents have been discovered in locations separate from President Joe Biden's time in office, prompting scrutiny from various stakeholders. The documents were reportedly found in a private office space at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, D.C., and in the garage of his Wilmington, Delaware, home.
The initial discovery of documents at the Penn Biden Center was made by Biden's personal attorneys on November 2, 2022, as they were packing files from that location. The White House has stated that these documents were immediately turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration. Subsequent searches by the Justice Department led to the discovery of additional classified materials at Biden's Wilmington residence.
These findings have drawn comparisons to a separate investigation into former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving office. The Justice Department has appointed a special counsel, Robert Hur, to investigate Biden's handling of the classified material. The White House has emphasized its cooperation with the ongoing investigation and indicated that the documents have been properly stored and secured.
The exact nature and classification level of the documents have not been fully disclosed. However, the presence of classified information in unsecure locations raises concerns about national security protocols. The Penn Biden Center, a think tank affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, was used by Biden after his vice presidency and before he launched his presidential campaign. It has been noted that the center is not a government facility.