Mike Pence. Source : Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons (Used under Creative Commons)
Classified documents were found by aides at former US Vice President Mike Pence’s home in Indiana this week.
Coming after President Joe Biden’s recent classified documents scandal, and former President Donald Trump also possessing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home, Mike Pence, who was Mr Trump’s VP, has also been caught in the scandal.
Mr Pence’s lawyer, Greg Jacob, revealed in a letter to the National Archives that confidential documents were found at the residence.
Mr Jacob said in the letter that there appears to only be a small number of documents found, and that it was unintentionally transported to Mr Pence’s home.
“[There] appears to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former Vice President at the end of the last administration.” Mr Jacob said.
“[Mr Pence was] unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence.
“[He] understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information.
“Vice President Pence immediately secured those documents in a locked safe pending further direction on proper handling from the National Archives.” He said.
Mr Jacob also stated that the contents of the documents found were not reviewed once they were determined to be marked as classified.
Mr Jacob said Mr Pence sought counsel from lawyer, Matthew E. Morgan once news of documents being found at President Biden’s home broke.
The documents at Mr Pence’s home were found by aides and immediately turned over and the National Archives informed.
Arrangements were made to deliver the documents to the National Archives, and they were collected by FBI agents on January 19.
This is different that the conduct that has occurred with Mr Trump.
Previously, Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home was raided by federal investigators where classified documents from his time as President were found, and an investigation is currently underway.
President Biden also self-reported found documents and cooperated with authorities.
However, President Biden is also under investigation as three sets of classified documents, as of this article, have been found at his office at the Penn Biden Center, and his home in Delaware.
Mr Trump responded to the development on his social media site, Truth, where he said Mr Pence should be left alone.
“Mike Pence is an innocent man.” Mr Trump’s post read.
“He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life.
“Leave him alone!!!”. He said.
US Politicians caught in the classified documents scandals have been scrutinised by both political sides as this scandal has hit both the previous administration and the current.
Many are commending Mr Pence’s accountability and following in President Biden’s lead in self-reporting.
However, some responses online are pointing out the fact that Mr Trump, at the time of the documents being taken to his home, had the authority to declassify them while Mr Pence and President Biden did not.
Investigations are still undergoing for all sets of documents found.
