Timeline: The genesis of the Biden classified documents scandal

After leaving the White House in 2021, President Biden became a fervent opponent of former President Trump’s alleged handling of hundreds of sensitive papers. Now, President Biden is facing similar accusations.

The president himself shocked reporters on Thursday by admitting that other sensitive documents were discovered in the garage of his Wilmington, Del. home—where he also keeps his vintage Corvette—after it was revealed late Monday that Biden’s personal attorneys discovered classified documents from his time as vice president improperly stored in an office closet at his DC think-tank.

A few hours later, Attorney General Merrick Garland made his second announcement that he was appointing a special prosecutor to look into allegations of misuse of secret material by a sitting or past president.

The scandal’s progression may be seen here:

Sept. 18, 2022 – Donald Trump is criticised by Vice President Joe Biden for keeping top-secret information at Mar-a-Lago.

In an interview, Biden criticises Trump for keeping secret documents on his estate.

“How could that possible occur. How could somebody be that careless?” Biden responds. And I wondered, “What information was there that may expose sources and methodologies? By that, I mean the names of those who provided assistance or the like. And it’s just completely reckless.

Nov. 2, 2022 – secret papers are discovered by Biden’s attorneys at the Penn Biden Center in Washington

While cleaning up Biden’s office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, Biden’s personal attorneys find 10 documents with classified markings — some of them designated “top secret” — in a locked closet.

The documents, which ranged in age from 2013 to 2016, contained intelligence notes and other information about Iran, Ukraine, and the UK. The paperwork is reportedly mixed in with Biden family records, and includes information about the 2015 funeral plans for the president’s late son Beau, who passed away from a brain tumour.

The National Archives contacts the Justice Department on November 4, 2022, informing them that the records have been located and secured at a facility under their care.

Democrats outperform expectations in the midterm elections on November 8, 2022, losing a net of just nine seats in the House of Representatives and picking up a member in the Senate.

Nov. 9, 2022 — The FBI starts a “evaluation” to determine if the handling of the sensitive information violated federal law.

On November 14, 2022, Garland designates US Attorney John Lausch of Chicago to head a first inquiry into whether he should appoint a special counsel.

Garland announces the special counsel in the Trump case on November 18, 2022.

Jack Smith, a seasoned federal prosecutor, is appointed by Garland as a special counsel to evaluate if former President Donald Trump will be charged with a criminal crime for keeping secret government records in Florida.

Smith, a former federal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s offices in Brooklyn and Nashville, Tenn., as well as a former assistant district attorney in Manhattan, is still in command of the continuing case even though no charges have been brought.

Dec. 20, 2022 — More secret documents have been discovered in the garage of Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware residence, according to Biden’s personal attorney, who informs Lausch.

Jan. 5, 2022 — Garland is urged by Lausch to appoint a special counsel.

Jan. 9, 2023 – The mismanaged Biden materials are first made known to the public.

The National Archives was informed about the records by Biden’s lawyers the same day they were discovered, and the organisation seized ownership of the files the next day, according to a statement made that evening by Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president.

The statement reads, “The materials were not the subject of any prior request or inquiry by the Archives.” Since that finding, the President’s personal lawyers have worked with the Archives and the Department of Justice to make sure that any papers from the Obama-Biden administration are in the Archives’ proper hands.

Jan. 10, 2023 – Biden releases his first remark about the Penn papers.

The president declares in a prepared statement that he “takes confidential papers, or sensitive material, seriously” at a press conference in Mexico City.

When told about this discovery, Biden states, “I was shocked to learn that any federal records had been moved there to that office.” I’m unsure of what’s in the docs, though. My attorneys did not advise me to inquire as to the nature of the materials. We are completely cooperating with the review, which I hope will be completed soon and at that point there will be more detail. I have given over the boxes, they have turned over the boxes to the Archives.

When told about this discovery, Biden states, “I was shocked to learn that any federal records had been moved there to that office.” I’m unsure of what’s in the docs, though. My attorneys did not advise me to inquire as to the nature of the materials. We are completely cooperating with the review, which I hope will be completed soon and at that point there will be more detail. I have given over the boxes, they have turned over the boxes to the Archives.

Jan. 11, 2023 — Report of the discovery of classified materials in a second location

More classified documents, according to reports, have been discovered at a second site, although the reports don’t disclose where.

On the morning of January 12, 2023, Biden’s lawyer informs Lausch that a further secret document was discovered at the Wilmington house.
White House and Biden confirm documents found in the garage the morning of January 12, 2023.

Additional records were indeed discovered, according to Sauber, “in storage space in the President’s Wilmington mansion garage.” This discovery sparked a remarkable exchange between Biden and Fox News journalist Peter Doocy.

Next to your Corvette are there any classified materials? What were you contemplating? Does Doocy.

“Okay, my Corvette is in a secured garage. Biden responds, “So it’s not like they’re sitting on the sidewalk.

“So, the garage was locked?” Doocy continues.

Biden answers, “Yes, as well as my Corvette.

On January 12, 2023, Garland names a special prosecutor to look into the Biden documents.