Joe Biden mocked former President Donald Trump’s excuses for having top secret documents at his Mar-a-Lago home.
Mr Biden spoke about how he handles classified materials following the publication of a redacted affidavit related to the raid on Mr Trump’s residence.
The president was asked about his predecessor’s claim that the documents that were brought to Mar-a-Lago had been declassified using his previous presidential powers.
“I just want you to know I’ve declassified everything in the world. I’m president, I can do – c’mon,” he said sarcastically on the South Lawn of the White House while speaking to reporters before travelling to Delaware.
Mr Biden was also asked if it was ever okay to bring home classified documents.
“Depending on the circumstance — for example, I have in my home a cabined-off space that is completely secure,” he said.
“I’m taking home with me today’s [Presidential Daily Brief]. It’s locked, I have a person with me, military with me, I read it, I lock it back up, I give it to the military,” he added.
The president was asked if it’s appropriate to handle classified documents if it’s not in an area that’s been specially constructed for this purpose.
“It depends on the documents and it depends on how secure everything is,” Mr Biden said.
Concerning the investigation into Mr Trump’s handling of classified documents, Mr Biden told the assembled press: “I’m not going to comment because I don’t know the details. I don’t even want to know, I’ll let the Justice Department take that.”
