China News Service, January 11. According to a CNN report on the 10th, sources said that last fall, 10 confidential documents from Biden's time as the Vice President of the United States were found in his former private office, including U.S. intelligence memos and briefing material on issues including Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom.

　　In response, Biden said that he was surprised by the confidential documents found in the offices of the Washington think tank, saying that he did not understand the contents of the documents.

Image source: Screenshot of CNN report

Confidential documents related to Ukraine and other documents found in Biden's private office

　　The news was first reported by CBS, which quoted sources as saying that about 10 encrypted documents from Biden's tenure as vice president of the United States appeared in the think tank "Penn State Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement" .

The White House confirmed the news on January 9.

　　CNN quoted sources who also said that the classified documents were dated between 2013 and 2016 and were packed in three or four boxes, which also contained unclassified documents in compliance with the Presidential Archives Act.

　　It is reported that the vast majority of the items in the office are private documents of the Biden family, including materials and letters of condolences about the funeral arrangements for Biden's late son Beau Biden.

It was not immediately clear whether the boxes containing the classified documents contained personal material.

　　The classified documents were discovered on November 2, 2022, the eve of the midterm elections.

One of Biden's personal lawyers was in the process of closing the Washington office, the source said.

The lawyer saw a folder marked "Private" and opened it noticing that it contained classified documents.

The attorney closed the envelope and called the National Archives and Records Administration.

Biden's team then handed over several boxes "very carefully."

U.S. Department of Justice launches investigation

　　A law enforcement source said U.S. Attorney General Garland had received an initial report on the document investigation and would decide how to proceed, including whether to launch a full criminal investigation.

　　U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr. is said to have briefed Garland multiple times.

However, a source said: "There are no additional briefings, but they will be held if necessary."

　　CNN reported that on January 9, at the diplomatic summit in Mexico, Garland happened to sit with Biden. The reporters asked loudly about the investigation, and the scene was quite "embarrassing."

The two ignored the questions.

Biden: Surprised, I don't understand

　　On January 10, Biden said at a press conference that he was surprised by the confidential documents found in the offices of Washington think tanks.

　　"I was surprised to learn that relevant government records were brought to that office," Biden said, emphasizing that he had no knowledge of the contents of the documents.

　　CNN reported that the White House has held a conference call with key allies to explain the investigation surrounding the classified documents, hoping to quell criticism and doubts.

A White House official described the documents as "fewer than a dozen," none of which were "particularly sensitive" and "of little interest to the intelligence community," two of the people familiar with the matter said.

　　A senior official also reiterated on the call how the president's legal counsel notified the National Archives and Records Administration immediately.

But the White House call did not say why the disclosure had not been made then or since November 2022.

Data map: Former US President Trump.

Trump: When will the FBI raid Biden's home?

　　The discovery of classified documents in Biden's private office has aroused close attention from Republicans.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said he plans to pressure the National Archives and Records Administration for information on classified documents.

Comer also sent letters to the Archives and the Office of White House Counsel, requesting that documents and other information be turned over no later than Jan. 24.

　　House Speaker McCarthy did not specify whether he thought House Republicans should investigate Biden, but said the reaction to Trump's retention of classified documents was "politically driven."

"It just shows that they're trying to engage in a political fight with Trump."

　　Trump posted on social media, "When will the FBI raid many of Biden's homes, even the White House? These documents are certainly not declassified."

　　On August 8, 2022, agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided Trump's private residence, Mar-a-Lago, in Florida, which aroused great concern across the United States.

Among the items seized by the FBI were more than 11,000 government documents and photos, 103 of which were classified.

But Trump has denied wrongdoing.