Why Believe Biden Takes Classified Documents Seriously? Jean-Pierre: 'He Said He Was Surprised' (January 23, 2023)

Three days after FBI agents searched President Joe Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, his press secretary faced a briefing room full of questions about classified documents. The Justice Department said it had seized “six items consisting of documents with classification markings” during a 13-hour “planned, consensual search,” Fox News reported [2].

“Another question on the documents. You have said, though, from this podium many, many times over the last two weeks that this President takes the handling of classified material very seriously,” a reporter told Karine Jean-Pierre. “So why should the American people believe that this President takes classified material seriously, and the handling of it?” [1]

The video above shows that exchange from the Jan. 23, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

”He Said He Was Surprised”

Jean-Pierre pointed to Biden’s own words. “And he says, ‘I take this very seriously.’ He said, ‘I didn’t know that the documents were there,’” she said [1].

The reporter questioned that. “You just said the President said that he ‘did not know the documents were there.’ I’m not actually sure he has said that that clearly,” the reporter said. “Well, he said he was surprised,” Jean-Pierre answered [1].

She kept repeating the phrase. “He said he was surprised. I’m just going to leave it there. And I’m going to refer you to the White House Counsel’s Office,” Jean-Pierre said. Then: “He said he was surprised that the documents were there” [1].

”Several Searches and the FBI”

“But given that, why then did it take several searches and the FBI coming in to uncover the full extent of the documents at his house?” the reporter asked [1].

“You’ve just said that his team is cooperating fully. And just want to add, you know — and you heard from his team — that the FBI was invited into the President’s home. I’m not going to go beyond that,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Full Access to His Homes”

A reporter she called Andrew asked about the President’s weekend plans. “The President is scheduled to go to Camp David this weekend. Just to clarify, should we read any- — anything into that? And does he have full access to his homes right now, both Wilmington and Rehoboth?” [1]

“I would — I would refer you to the White House Counsel’s Office,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Which Four-Letter Word Did You Use?”

Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy tried another approach [2]. “When you found out that the FBI had located even more classified materials in Wilmington, which four-letter word did you use?” he asked. Jean-Pierre laughed. “Oh, my goodness, Peter,” she said [1].

“Is there a precedent for people running for President after FBI agents search their sock drawer?” Doocy asked. “It sounds like you already know that — the answer to that question,” Jean-Pierre said. “Here’s what the President is going to focus on: He’s going to focus on continuing to deliver for the American people” [1].

”Is President Biden Involved in a Coverup?”

Doocy then cited the top Republican investigator in the House. “The House Oversight Committee Chairman says this document situation has all the makings of a potential coverup. Is President Biden involved in a coverup?” he asked [1].

“We have been very clear here, from this administration,” Jean-Pierre answered. Then she turned to Doocy: “You asked me, kind of, a question that everybody laughed at, which was an interesting question to ask” [1].

”Who’s Paying the President’s Private Attorney?”

Another reporter asked about the legal bills. “Who’s paying the President’s private attorney on this matter?” “I mean, it’s his private — it’s his private attorney, so I would leave it —” Jean-Pierre began [1].

“So, he’s paying them?” the reporter asked. “I would — I would — I would just say it’s his private attorney,” she said [1].

“We’ve asked his private attorney at least four times, and they haven’t given us an answer. Don’t we deserve to know whether he’s paying for it or a super PAC or the DNC?” the reporter pressed. “I hear you,” Jean-Pierre said, and told the reporter to ask a colleague on an upcoming call [1].

”No Regrets”

“The President said last week that he has no regrets when it comes to the handling of classified documents. Why doesn’t he have regrets, given that classified documents keep turning up?” a reporter asked. “I’m not going to go beyond what the President said,” Jean-Pierre answered [1].

Some Democrats disagreed. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Biden “should have a lot of regrets,” Fox News reported. Fox also noted that Biden had called the discovery of classified documents at former President Donald Trump’s home “totally irresponsible” [2].

“64 Percent”

A reporter cited an ABC News/Ipsos poll “that found that 64 percent of Americans believe the President acted inappropriately in the way he handled classified files.” Jean-Pierre said: “I’m not going to go into, you know, a rabbit hole or go into details or thoughts about polls” [1].

”Asked the Same Question 34 Times”

In an MSNBC interview that Fox News reported on Jan. 23, 2023, Ian Sams, spokesman for the White House Counsel’s office, faced the same questions. Sams “said multiple times that the White House would be ‘following the DOJ’s lead’” Fox News reported [4].

Host Mika Brzezinski was not satisfied. “OK. So, I mean it didn’t answer my question really, but I agree it’s been handled completely differently. There’s a complete contrast to the Mar-a-Lago documents. Put that aside for a second. How could this happen? And do you agree, having classified documents outside of where they should be is a serious issue?” she asked, according to Fox News [4].

Brzezinski noted there was “no answer being provided.” Afterward, co-host Joe Scarborough said: “Mika asked the same question 34 times. How do they know? They’ll let us know.” [4]

By the Numbers

6: items with classification markings the Justice Department said it seized in Wilmington [2].
13 hours: the length of the FBI search, per Fox News [2].
4: times, by one reporter’s count, the press had asked Biden’s lawyer who was paying [1].
64%: Americans who said Biden acted inappropriately, per the ABC News/Ipsos poll a reporter cited [1].

What Happened Next

The special counsel found willful retention but brought no charges. Special counsel Robert Hur’s report in February 2024 said: “Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.” It also said: “We conclude that no criminal charges are warranted in this matter” [3].

For what the report said about Biden’s memory, see HYGO News’ page on the special counsel interview. For the White House’s first answers on the documents, see the page on “he was surprised”, and for more of Jean-Pierre’s answers checked against the record, the Karine Jean-Pierre record page.