Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Joe Biden indicates that the classified documents investigation is approaching its conclusion after involving numerous witnesses during the ten-month probe. Biden was voluntarily questioned by Hur and his team over two days, marking the first public development in months. While details of the questioning remain undisclosed, sources suggest the investigation may conclude by the end of the year. It’s currently uncertain if charges will be filed, and there’s no observable grand jury activity.
The Justice Department expects Hur to produce a final report outlining his findings, standard for a special counsel’s work. The extensive nature of Hur’s work suggests a detailed report explaining the investigation’s conduct. Appointed in January, Hur is investigating classified documents found at Biden’s former office and home.
In comparison to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into classified materials at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Hur’s probe into Biden has operated more discreetly. However, the prolonged investigation has frustrated top Biden aides who anticipated an earlier conclusion due to the relatively small number of classified documents involved.
Some Biden aides believe Attorney General Merrick Garland’s cautious selection of Hur, an appointee during the Trump administration, aimed to ensure the investigation’s political impartiality. Hur’s team has interviewed a diverse range of witnesses, including longtime advisor Steve Ricchetti, former White House legal and communications aides, and a former low-level aide from the Obama administration.
Hur’s investigation extended to individuals who worked in the Senate during Biden’s tenure, as some documents with classified markings date back to that period. The examination includes the handling of classified documents during Biden’s time in the Senate, confronting issues related to the Senate’s constitutional speech or debate protections.
The resolution of discussions between the Senate and Justice Department regarding Senate-related interviews remains unclear. Members of Hur’s team have been described as professional but meticulous in seeking detailed information during witness interviews. The investigative process involves inquiries about office arrangements, storage of briefing books, and operation of an office safe.
FBI agents and lawyers conducted lengthy interviews to understand the details surrounding specific documents, linking meetings to classified materials or notes found at Biden’s properties. Investigators aim to establish a chain of custody for the documents and determine how they ended up in Biden’s office and home.
The central question in the case revolves around whether the vice president intentionally took classified documents for personal use. Assessing culpability and understanding the circumstances surrounding the documents’ presence at the Penn Biden Center and the president’s house in Delaware pose challenges for investigators.
A lawyer for one witness described Hur’s process as slow and methodical, emphasizing thoroughness. The investigation, ongoing despite its duration, indicates a commitment to a comprehensive examination of the case. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to provide specific details about Biden’s interview, including whether he invoked executive privilege. Jean-Pierre did not disclose if the Biden administration sought to postpone the interview following Hamas’ attack on Israel over the weekend, emphasizing the president’s focus on addressing pressing global events while fulfilling his multiple responsibilities.
