Biden news: President makes first response to classified papers trove as GOP accused Dems of hypocrisy
Discovery of documents cast a shadow over Biden’s visit to Mexico City for three-day summit with counterparts Trudeau and López Obrador
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Your support makes all the difference.President Joe Biden’s visit to Mexico was shrouded by news that classified documents from his time as vice president were discovered at a think tank in Washington DC.
After initially dodging questions on the classified papers, the president addressed the issue on Tuesday, saying that he was “surprised” by the find.
“I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office,” he said, adding that he doesn’t know what the documents contain.
Mr Biden’s attorneys confirmed on Monday that they had found the government materials in a private office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in November.
The documents were immediately handed over to the National Archives and the Justice Department launched an investigation.
At least some of the materials are said to include intelligence memos regarding Iran, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and other topics, reported CNN.
The revelation about the documents comes amid a a three-day trip to Mexico where Mr Biden has held meetings with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Biden praised Mr Trudeau for his support and cooperation with the US on international affairs.
“I want to thank you again. You’ve always been there whenever I call, you pick up the phone,” he said.
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The Republican House has finally, after 15 votes, managed to elect Kevin McCarthy as speaker. That means they can get on to their main business: impeaching Joe Biden for something. Or for anything.
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Biden and Lula have spoken
President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have spoken by telephone the day after protesters loyal to former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in Brasilia.
A White House official confirmed the call.
Biden and Lula release joint statement
The White House released the following statement after President Joe Biden spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
President Biden and President Lula spoke by telephone this afternoon. President Biden conveyed the unwavering support of the United States for Brazil’s democracy and for the free will of the Brazilian people as expressed in Brazil’s recent presidential election, which President Lula won. President Biden condemned the violence and the attack on democratic institutions and on the peaceful transfer of power. The two leaders pledged to work closely together on the issues confronting the United States and Brazil, including climate change, economic development, and peace and security. President Biden invited President Lula to visit Washington in early February for in-depth consultations on a wide-ranging shared agenda, and President Lula accepted the invitation.
Harris condemns Brazil riots as ‘clear attack on a democratic process'
Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Elizabeth Bagley as the new US Ambassador to Brazil this afternoon and made the following comments regarding yesterday’s violence.
“Well, let’s be clear. This was an obvious and clear attack on a democratic process. And we condemn it. Of course, I will also say that as I’ve said to the ambassador, Ambassador Bagley, I’m very confident in her ability to represent the United States and to extend to President Lula all that we need in terms of the work that we will do together as allies on some of the most important issues facing our world. So we’re very much looking forward to her leadership and to work with President Lula.”
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