The Department of Justice will not seek criminal charges against former Vice President Mike Pence in a case involving possible mishandling of classified documents, CNN and other outlets reported.
The announcement that the DOJ closed its investigation and would not be filing charges comes just days before Pence is expected to announce his presidential bid, as TheBlaze reported Wednesday.
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department’s National Security Division have conducted an investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information,” the DOJ wrote to Pence’s attorney, as CNN reported.
“Based on the results of that investigation, no criminal charges will be sought.”
Pence’s attorney found roughly a dozen classified documents at his private residence in Carmel, Indiana back in January, as TheBlaze reported. The attorney notified both the National Archives and the DOJ upon discovering the documents in taped boxes, later notifying Congress and the public.
“While I was not aware that the classified documents were in our personal residence, let me be clear, those classified documents should not have been in my personal residence. Mistakes were made and I take full responsibility,” Pence said January 27, as the New York Post reported.
Pence and his team “cooperated with authorities” from the start, the New York Times reported. The outlet contrasted that with former President Trump’s response, which ultimately resulted in an FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s home in Florida.
President Biden and former President Trump, both contenders in the 2024 presidential election, both faced investigations about alleged mishandling of classified documents. Trump’s involves documents from his term as President. Biden’s involves documents from his two terms as Vice President.
Former President Donald Trump responded to the announcement on Truth Social Friday.
“Just announced that they are not going to bring charges against Mike Pence on the document hoax. That’s great, but when am I going to be fully exonerated, I’m at least as innocent as he is,” Trump wrote in the post.
“And what about Joe Biden, who is hiding at least 1850 boxes, and some located in Chinatown, DC? When will the witch hunt against ‘TRUMP’ stop?”
Today, Pence is in Iowa, participating in Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) “Roast and Ride” event. The annual GOP fundraiser, kicks off with a motorcycle ride starting at the “Big Barn Harley Davidson” shop and concludes with a roast at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Other GOP presidential contenders planning to make an appearance include Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Pence is expected to announce his presidential bid June 7 during a town hall with CNN.
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