Biden responds to classified documents handling
MEXICO CITY, Mex. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - President Biden is defending his handling of classified documents from his time as Vice President.
When asked about some classified documents found at a former office in Washington, Biden said he was "surprised" when he learned of their existence.
Not only that, his attorneys have been "cooperating fully" with the government's review of the records.
"People know I take classified documents and classified information seriously. When my lawyers were clearing out my office at University of Pennsylvania, they set up a secure office in the Capitol. In the 4 years after I was vice president I was a professor at Penn. They found some documents in a box in a locked cabinet or at least a closet. As soon as they did they realized there were several classified documents in that box...they immediately called the archives and turned them over to the archives."
Biden also added, "I was briefed about this and surprised to learn there was any government records taken...to that office. But I don't know what's in the documents; my lawyers have not suggested I ask what documents they were. I've turned over the boxes to archives...we're cooperating fully with the review. I hope [the review] will be completed soon and there will be more detail at that time."
Two sources familiar with the matter say there were less than a dozen documents with classified markings found in the office.
The sources also say that Biden's lawyers immediately turned the documents over to the National Archives.
