White House Failed to Disclose FBI Search of Biden Think Tank

Revelation undermines claims that the Biden team was transparent about the investigation. President Joe Biden speaks on January 12 / Getty images

The FBI searched President Joe Biden’s think tank for classified documents earlier than the White House disclosed, contradicting claims that the Biden team has been transparent about its investigation.

CBS News reports that FBI agents searched Penn Biden Center in November, just weeks after a personal lawyer for President Obama found classified documents there. Between 20 and 30 classified documents have been discovered at the Penn Biden Center and at Biden’s home in Delaware, CBS reported.

It is not clear whether additional documents were found by FBI agents during the search. The White House is certain to have questions about the previously unannounced search. It insists that Biden’s lawyers were open with the public and the Justice Department regarding the discovery of classified documents at his properties.

“We have been transparent in the last couple of days, remember there is an ongoing process and we have spoken when it is appropriate,” Karine Jean-Pierre is White House press secretary January 13,

The White House has faced withering criticism for waiting more than two months—until after the midterm elections—to disclose the discovery of the first batch of records at the Penn Biden Center, a Beltway-based foreign policy think tank that Biden launched in 2017.

A lawyer for Biden on Nov. 2 found a batch of documents related to Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom while going through Biden’s personal records. On Nov. 3, the lawyer informed the National Archives about the discovery. The Justice Department was informed the following day. November 14th, Attorney General Merrick Galrland appointed John Lausch as U.S. Attorney to initiate an investigation into the discovery. On Dec. 20, Biden’s lawyers informed Lausch that additional classified documents were found at Biden’s home in Wilmington, Del.

Robert Hur, a former Justice Department official was appointed special counsel by Garland on Jan. 12. Republicans have questioned Given his involvement in the Justice Department investigation into possible collusion between Trump campaign and Russia, Hur may be a suitable fit for this role.

A few Biden insiders led the White House strategy for how to release the information. One report saysWhite