President Joe Biden addressed the controversy surrounding classified documents discovered at his home and office.
While in California to survey damage left behind by storms, Biden was pressed on the issue.
He told reporters to “hang on,” saying, “Look, as we found a handful of documents were filed in the wrong place. We immediately turned them over to the archives and the Justice Department.”
Biden continued, “We’re fully cooperating and looking to get this resolved quickly. I think you’re gonna find there’s nothing there. I have no regrets. I’m following what the lawyers have told me they want me to do. It’s exactly what we’re doing. There’s no ‘there’ there.”
Watch Biden’s remarks below:
Pres. Biden fields question on classified documents during remarks on storm damage in California: “There's no ‘there’ there.” https://t.co/AfEIFrwQaF pic.twitter.com/S4LRe1holz
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 19, 2023
Individuals around Biden explained to CNN that they believe the attention on these documents could be the “latest passing obsession.”
A Biden adviser told the outlet several of the questions coming in are from journalists and politicians who do not accept that the president is “honoring his promise to a T by upholding the rule of law and respecting DOJ’s process,” as CNN reported.
“It’s a matter of public record what Americans’ highest priority issues are – from polling, other research, and the most important poll: the midterms: The economy, cutting costs, fighting inflation, creating jobs, standing up for reproductive rights, fighting for gun reform,” the adviser explained.
According to the adviser, with Biden’s work and record, “The American people care a hell of a lot about all of that.”
Last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate Biden’s handling of the documents.
Still, the investigation does not appear to be an issue for Biden’s potential 2024 campaign.
People familiar with the discussions told CNN Biden’s plans to announce his campaign following his State of the Union address on February 7 remains intact.
