During a recent interview, Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision not to prosecute President Biden for mishandling classified documents. Armstrong stated that in his view, President Biden met the elements of the crime, but the decision not to prosecute was based on concerns about how the case would be perceived by a jury.
Armstrong highlighted that the DOJ's assessment that a jury would not convict President Biden played a significant role in the decision not to pursue charges. He emphasized that President Biden had been storing classified documents for over 30 years and had received warnings from various sources about the handling of such materials.
The congressman also drew comparisons between the cases of President Biden and former President Trump, pointing out differences in the charges brought against them. He argued that while obstruction of justice was a separate issue, the underlying conduct of mishandling classified documents was present in both cases.
Armstrong raised concerns about what he perceived as a two-tiered justice system, where only one out of the last three presidential candidates faced prosecution for similar offenses. He questioned why individuals like President Biden were not held accountable for mishandling classified information.
Regarding allegations of obstruction, Armstrong disputed claims that President Trump's actions constituted obstruction to a greater extent than mishandling classified documents. He criticized the DOJ's decision not to prosecute individuals involved in the handling of the classified information.
In conclusion, Congressman Armstrong called for further clarity on the handling of classified documents by public officials and emphasized the need for consistency in applying the law across all individuals, regardless of their political affiliations.
