'Biden's Greatest Crisis' Classified Document Leak to Be Investigated by Special Prosecutor

Former Korean-American Prosecutor General Appointed as Special Prosecutor

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As classified documents from when Joe Biden was Vice President were found in his personal office and residence, the Department of Justice has appointed a special counsel, intensifying the investigation. Former President Donald Trump is also under investigation for the removal of classified documents, and with Republicans demanding that President Biden be investigated on the same grounds, a fierce legal battle is expected.

On the 12th (local time), according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others, Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General, announced the appointment of Robert Hur, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, as special counsel to investigate the leak of classified documents by President Biden.

Hur, who is of Korean descent, served as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and was U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland from April 2018 to February 2021 during the Trump administration. He also worked with the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist and handled dozens of investigations into financial fraud and high-ranking public official corruption.

Earlier, classified documents were found in President Biden’s personal office on November 2 last year, six days before the U.S. midterm elections, but this was not disclosed externally until it was belatedly revealed through media reports on the 9th. The scandal has expanded as additional classified documents were found at Biden’s Delaware residence.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to CNN, the documents found in President Biden’s personal office reportedly included intelligence materials from U.S. intelligence agencies concerning Ukraine and Iran. Previously, documents leaked by former President Trump also contained overseas intelligence, leading to reports that the FBI is investigating possible violations of the Espionage Act.

The documents Trump is accused of leaking number over 100, and the FBI led investigations including a search of his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, before Special Counsel Jack Smith took over the case.

President Biden acknowledged the discovery of classified documents and stated he is cooperating with the Department of Justice. The opposition Republican Party has intensified its offensive, demanding a congressional investigation. Following the emergence of Biden’s classified document leak case, some within the Republican Party and former President Trump have called for a special counsel investigation into Biden, while others have urged a congressional inquiry.

The Department of Justice’s announcement of the special counsel appointment came immediately after President Biden acknowledged the matter. The White House and the Department of Justice are reported to have coordinated in advance regarding the special counsel appointment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.