Trouble grows for Joe Biden: US Attorney General appoints special counsel to probe classified papers case

Trouble seems to be growing for US President Joe Biden after the discovery of classified documents at his private office and residence.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland on 12 January 2023 announced the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the case. Robert Hur, a former Justice Department prosecutor and former US Attorney for the District of Maryland, has been chosen for the probe.

The classified documents relate to Biden's time as Vice President under Barack Obama between 2009 and 2017.

Earlier Biden told reporters at the White House that he takes classified documents and classified material seriously.

“I also said we're cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Department's review,” he said in response to a question.

“As part of that process, my lawyers reviewed other places where documents might of - from my time as Vice President were stored. And they finished the review last night,” he said.

“They discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and in file cabinets in my home and in my personal library. This was done in the case of the Biden Penn -- this was done in the case of the Biden Penn Center,” he added.

(With AP inputs)