Classified documents found at current and former politicians homes

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Elizabeth Duncan
Staff Writer

Many Americans are questioning national security of important information after classified documents have now been found in former President Donald Trump’s home, President Joe Biden’s home and now former Vice President Mike Pence’s home. 

According to CNN, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) raided former president Donald Trump’s home in Mar-a-Largo, Fa. on Aug. 8 and found several boxes of classified documents that they had been trying to retrieve from the former president for months. 

Now, several classified documents from President Biden’s time as vice president were found in his private office. According to the CNN Report, Biden’s attorneys stated that the White House was cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice on the discovery of what appear to be Obama-Biden Administration records, 

Just three days after the initial discovery, more classified documents were found in Biden’s garage at his Delaware estate. 

Pence has now joined the unpopular list of former and current government officials who have mishandled classified document. 

According to CNN, on Jan. 24, a lawyer for Pence notified the FBI that approximately 12 documents marked as classified had been found at his Indiana home.  He has since turned these documents over to the FBI.

After the discovery of Biden’s classified documents, many Trump supporters and Republicans are asking for fair treatment as Biden’s home was not raided nor is the FBI involved. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a U.S. Representative for Georgia and Donald Trump, Jr. have both called for the impeachment for President Biden. 

Political Science Professor Ray Mikell gave his thoughts on why Biden is being treated differently than Trump for committing the same offense.

“Biden’s team has been cooperative,” said Mikell. “That’s the big difference. Trump was not cooperative and he had people from the national archives writing to him that there were documents missing. That’s when they went to the Department of Justice (DOJ).” 

Mikell also believes that the amount of documents discovered has also made a difference in the treatment and handling of the situation. 

“Trump kept referring to it as a raid when it was really a search,” said Mikell. “The sheer number of documents in Trump’s home is a huge difference. There were boxes and boxes of documents whereas there were only a few papers for Biden.” 

According to CNN, Trump took to his Truth Social account to speak on Biden’s classified documents and his “unfair” treatment for the same offense. 

“When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified,” said Trump in the rant. 

Many students believe that Trump is treated differently due to his track record and past. 

Jayla Jones, a freshman political science and English major said, “I believe that the FBI had to raid Trump’s place because he would not willingly give up the classified documents to the federal government.” 

Jones also expressed how she feels the media plays an important role in politics. 

“I also believe that the media is showing lack of coverage on Joe Biden because Biden is not nearly as controversial as Donald Trump,” said Jones. 

Ashton Willis, a freshman marketing major from Mobile, Ala., stated that Trump has been treated differently because he cannot be trusted. 

“I believe Trump is untrustworthy, so the Government sprang into action when the news came out about his classified documents,” said Willis. “The government raided Trump’s home because they knew that he was not going to give them up willingly,” said Willis.