Even A Top Democratic Senator Is Criticizing Joe Biden For Stonewalling Lawmakers Over His Confidential Documents Scandal

cbsnews.com

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Senator Mark Warner, Democrat from Virginia, appeared on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday with moderator Margaret Brennan. 

Warner is the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee prompting Brennan to ask whether or not the Biden administration has been transparent regarding the classified documents scandal. 

Towards the end of the interview where they discussed topics like banning TikTok and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, she asked about Biden’s “improper retention of classified documents.” 

“I wanted to just follow up on what you shared with us back in January when you were very frustrated that the administration wasn’t sharing the information about the classified materials improperly held by the current president when he was out of office and the former president. You’ve been briefed. Any more clarity on this? Any further information?” Brennan asked.

Warner shared his frustration about the lack of transparency from the White House.

“We need more information about these documents,” Warner said. “More importantly, we need to make sure that what the intel community has done to mitigate the harm. And we’re still in conversations with the Justice Department.

“The administration’s position does not pass the smell test,” Warner added.

Warner “suggested lawmakers are prepared to use ‘additional tools’ to compel Biden to give lawmakers the details they want about his scandal.”

“We’ve got some additional tools. We can restrict some of the spending. We’re in active conversations with the Justice Department. But we’ve got to get those documents,” the senator said.

“We have an obligation to see these documents and again make sure that if there’s any potential compromise, it’s mitigated,” Warner said. “We took the first step. I’m not satisfied.

Last month, a bipartisan group comprised of Senators and Representatives received an intelligence briefing about the classified documents scandal.

The lawmakers came away from the briefing with “more questions than answers,” according to The Blaze.

Their only choice may be to restrict government spending if the administration fails to comply.

“Warner has already threatened the controversial reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The program empowers the government to conduct sweeping warrantless surveillance on foreign persons, but it can sometimes sweep intelligence on Americans.”

The classified documents situation and the TikTok ban are just two of a few issues garnering bipartisan support from Congress.

At a recent meeting, a ranking member on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said “A special counsel cannot have veto authority over Congress’ ability to do its job. This is going to be addressed one way or the other.”

“Amen,” Warner responded.

More than 25 classified documents were discovered at Biden’s various properties including his personal residence in Wilmington, DE and an office at the Biden Penn Center in Washington, D.C.

The discovery came just a couple of months after the FBI raided former President Trump’s personal residence at Mar-a-Lago for classified documents.