Joe Biden’s reelection campaign co-chair, Mitch Landrieu, recently appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He presented a strong defense for his client. He rejected comparisons between Presidents Biden and Trump regarding national security threats and handling of classified documents.
Landrieu’s Appointment and Role
Landrieu previously worked as the White House Infrastructure Coordinator. He has since transitioned to a key role within President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign as a national co-chair. Landrieu’s time as a senior adviser and infrastructure implementation coordinator included creating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Under this law, Landrieu managed to allocate billions for infrastructure enhancement funding across the United States. This measure has been foundational to Biden’s pitch for a second term. To some political analysts, it has helped to show Biden’s apparent commitment to real improvements in the nation.
Encounter on “Meet the Press”
During a segment on “Meet the Press,” the conversation took a turn when host Kristin Welker spoke about special counsel Robert Hur’s special report on Biden. The report discussed Biden’s handling of government documents. Welker’s remarks about the mishandling of classified documents by Biden prompted a firm defense from Landrieu.
Landrieu’s Defense
Landrieu emphasized the distinction between not being indicted and the specifics of the Hur report’s findings. Landrieu interrupted Welker to clarify the absence of criminal wrongdoing by Biden. He contrasted this with the legal problems facing Trump, who faces numerous felony counts across different cases.
Welker’s Comments
Welker said, “Just to be very clear, the report didn’t say [Biden] wasn’t engaged in any wrongdoing. In fact, it was quite firm in the fact that he mishandled classified documents, he just wasn’t indicted and criminally charged. But let me follow up with you –” Landrieu then said, “But Kristen, wait. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You can’t — I’m not going to accept that premise.”
Landrieu’s Comments
He then said, “In an investigation, a special counsel determines based on the facts and the law about whether somebody engaged in criminal wrongdoing and he found out that the President did. As a matter of fact, he’s the only special counsel that’s been engaged in this kind of activity that had to say that he could not indict somebody, and that is a fact and so that’s the big takeaway from this report from a legal perspective.”
The Essence of Landrieu’s Argument
Landrieu’s argument focused on the legal outcomes of the investigations into Biden’s actions. He stressed that the special counsel found no basis for criminal charges against Biden. He compared this to Trump’s legal challenges, with Landrieu highlighting the significant difference in the nature and number of charges facing Trump.
Reflections on National Security Consequences
The discussion touched upon the potential consequences for national security stemming from the mishandling of classified documents. Landrieu rejected the idea that national security was compromised. He highlighted the special counsel’s findings that stopped short of indicating a breach of national security.
Welker’s Reply
In response, Welker said, “From a legal perspective, that is absolutely right. He said he was not going to indict.” Landrieu replied, “Because he didn’t have the law and the facts to do it.” Walker then said, “Well, right, but he did say that classified documents were mishandled, and he said that national security could have been jeopardized, but let me ask you this–”
Another Interruption
Landrieu interrupted once again. He said, “But, Kristen, he didn’t say national security – no, ma’am, I’m sorry – he didn’t say national security was compromised, and you just heard from the secretary of national security –” Landrieu protested. Welker then clarified, “He said it could have been.”
Landrieu’s Distinction
Landrieu responded by saying, “But it was not, and the facts and the law suggested that the President was not engaged in criminal activity. To be distinguished between the former President who right now has 91 felony counts pending against him in four different cases. So let’s just keep the facts right, and let’s not make false comparisons between the two, which people, unfortunately, do a lot of these days.”
Legal and Procedural Distinctions
The Biden and Trump cases over classified documents show legal and procedural contrasts. Biden’s attorneys quickly reported and surrendered a smaller set of documents upon discovery. Trump’s scenario involved a protracted struggle with the National Archives to reclaim a larger cache of documents, some of which were only retrieved following an FBI search.
Intentionality and Legal Consequences
The heart of legal jeopardy in these cases lies in the intent behind retaining them. While accidental retention is generally not prosecuted, intentional withholding or obstruction could lead to charges. This distinction places Trump in a position of greater legal vulnerability due to the circumstances surrounding the retrieval of documents.
The Role of Presidential Immunity
The Justice Department’s longstanding policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted has implications for both Biden and Trump. This policy previously protected Trump during his presidency, particularly in the investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Biden’s current status as president shields him from potential prosecution.
The Difference in Volume and Response
The volume of classified documents and the response to their discovery differ significantly between Biden and Trump. Biden’s team discovered and voluntarily reported a relatively small number of documents. However, Trump’s case involved a much larger quantity and a more complex process of recovery, including an FBI search warrant execution at Mar-a-Lago.
National Security and Classified Information
Handling classified information improperly poses a risk to national security, regardless of the position of the individuals involved. The Biden and Trump cases show the importance of obeying protocols for managing sensitive documents. Both cases have drawn attention to the potential consequences of mishandling.
The Discovery and Reporting Process
The process of discovering and reporting classified documents in Biden’s case included transparency and prompt action by his legal team. In contrast, the retrieval process in Trump’s case was filled by delays and apparent resistance. This shows clear differences in the approach to handling potentially sensitive security breaches.
Legal Experts’ Perspectives
Legal experts point to the differences in the Biden and Trump cases, particularly regarding the potential for legal peril. Trump’s case, complicated by allegations of obstruction, stands in contrast to Biden’s, where there has been no indication of intentional retention or refusal to cooperate with authorities. This could be one reason why Biden was not formally charged, unlike Trump.
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