‘That’s something I couldn’t comment on from here’: Karine Jean-Pierre STILL deflects questions over investigation of Biden documents – even after Mike Pence hands over materials found at HIS Indiana home
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly dismissed questions Tuesday about the increasing investigation of classified documents — even as dozens of documents were found at the home of former Vice President Mike Pence in Indiana.
Faced with renewed pressure from the GOP Congress on Biden and a special counsel investigation — and from within his own party — Jean-Pierre declined to say whether the president would invite the FBI to search his beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware.
The questions surfaced after a DOJ search on Friday uncovered more materials at his Wilmington home.
“I would refer you to the White House office, which has been in regular contact with all of you to answer these questions about the law,” she said at Tuesday’s White House news briefing.
She also wouldn’t dare speculate if there was a “bigger problem” after the last two vice presidents – Pence and Biden – found classified material in their homes.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the latest classified document developments, even after former Vice President Mike Pence alerted authorities that he had classified material at his Indiana home
“I’m not going to comment on that from here. I’ll refer you to the White House Counsel for classified documents from around here,” she said, sticking to her script.
When asked if Biden should change what classification rules he could change in light of the latest developments, Jean-Pierre once said she would not comment on a “criminal investigation.”
“Listen, I will not comment on any ongoing criminal investigations or investigations. As we all know, the Justice Department is independent and we will not interfere,” she said.
When asked by if she had reason to believe there was an ongoing criminal investigation into the matter – which would be an important development in the case of Pence or Biden – she deflected again.
Reporters repeatedly tried to wrest information from Jean-Pierre a day after another White House spokesman, Ian Sams, blasted the media for trying to “get attention” by focusing questions on the issue.
SET UP: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre carried a thick stack of materials to her briefing, but referred several questions to the Justice Department
President Biden has been pounded by a series of revelations about classified documents in his possession
beach trip! Jean-Pierre declined to say if Biden would invite the FBI to search his beach house in Delaware, where he traveled last weekend
A dozen classified documents were discovered and turned over by former Vice President Mike Pence at his Indiana home
“I’m just saying I’m not going to comment on any type of investigation. The Justice Department is independent and we simply don’t comment on investigations from here,” she said in response to a futile effort.
“Again, I would direct you to the White House Office for anything related to the investigation,” she said.
Still, questions remain about how much classified material was discovered and how and why Biden allowed it into his home and former think tank office.
His attorney said agents on Friday “took possession of materials they deemed relevant to their investigation, including six items consisting of documents with classification marks and surrounding materials, some from the President’s Senate service and others.” his tenure as Vice President.’
This leaves open the possibility that some of the items were folders that could contain long or multiple documents.