Biden is shaking in his boots.
The imminent release of the report regarding President Joe Biden’s handling of classified information is poised to have significant ramifications, according to insights from a political analyst.
Expected to be unveiled by Special Counsel Robert Hur shortly, the report delves into Biden’s management of sensitive materials, with potential implications for the upcoming 2024 election. While there’s speculation that the findings may not lead to criminal charges, concerns linger within the White House regarding the report’s contents, particularly regarding the possibility of incriminating photographs depicting Biden’s storage methods for classified documents.
Since his appointment by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Biden’s handling of classified information, comparisons have been drawn to the treatment of former President Donald Trump, who faced multiple federal charges in a similar probe conducted by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, highlights the potential for Trump to leverage any unfavorable findings against Biden, perpetuating narratives of equivalence between their respective legal challenges.
However, notable distinctions exist between Biden and Trump’s approaches to handling classified documents. Unlike Trump, Biden is not accused of obstructing federal efforts to retrieve sensitive materials, having promptly returned all documents upon their discovery.
Reeher underscores the significance of public perception, suggesting that any negative optics surrounding Biden’s handling of classified information could be perceived similarly to past controversies involving Trump. Despite potential damage to Biden’s image, Reeher notes a potential silver lining—the report may undercut accusations of political bias in Trump’s legal proceedings, albeit at the cost of drawing unwanted attention to the findings.
News outlets have speculated that Hur’s report will not recommend criminal charges against Biden or his aides, echoing previous reports that surfaced after Biden’s interview with Hur’s team in October 2023. As anticipation mounts for the report’s release, its impact on the political landscape remains to be seen.