The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from Special Counsel Hur regarding the handling of classified documents by Presidents Reagan, Trump, and Biden. The report highlighted key differences in how each president treated their personal records.
President Reagan's diaries, which contained classified information, were considered personal records by the Department of Justice, and no agency attempted to seize them. In contrast, President Biden believed his notebooks, including personal reflections and work-related notes, were his personal property but allowed investigators to review them.
The report emphasized that President Biden cooperated with the investigation, turning over classified documents and consenting to searches, unlike ex-President Trump, who obstructed justice by refusing to return documents and destroying evidence.
Special Counsel Hur confirmed that President Biden did not claim documents produced by others with classification markings as personal records, distinguishing his case from ex-President Trump's. The report underscored the significant disparities in behavior between the two presidents.
Notably, the report highlighted that President Biden's actions aligned with Department of Justice guidelines during the Reagan administration, where personal diaries were not considered subject to seizure.
During the hearing, Representative Lofgren pointed out the clear distinctions between the cases, emphasizing President Biden's cooperation and compliance with the investigation. She requested to include letters in the record, underscoring the differences in handling classified documents between the presidents.
The testimony shed light on the nuanced approach to personal records and classified information by different administrations, showcasing the importance of cooperation and transparency in such matters.
