Former President George W. Bush speaks with David Kramer, the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute, during “The Struggle for Freedom” event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Emil Lippe) Emil Lippe/AP

National Archives ponders asking former presidents and VPs to search for classified documents: Report

Misty Severi January 25, 06:35 PMJanuary 25, 06:35 PM Video Embed

The National Archives is considering asking former presidents and vice presidents to search their properties and offices for classified material after multiple classified documents surfaced in unsafe locations recently.

The National Archives is debating sending letters to former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter. Their vice presidents would also be contacted.

The consideration comes after classified documents were discovered in the home of former Vice President Mike Pence in Carmel, Indiana. It was the third such incident in the past year.

A GUIDE TO REPUBLICAN INVESTIGATIONS INTO BIDEN’S CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS SCANDAL

Representatives for Obama, Clinton, and both Bushes have claimed the former presidents do not have any classified records in their possession, according to CNN.

“All of President Clinton’s classified materials were properly turned over to NARA in accordance with the Presidential Records Act,” Clinton’s office told the outlet.

Some presidents, including George H.W. Bush, turned over all documents, including personal papers, to the National Archives. His vice president, Dan Quayle, said he turned everything over to the National Archives as well.

The younger Bush’s vice president, Dick Cheney, and Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore, are also in compliance with the Presidential Records Act, sources told CNN.

“When leaving the White House in January 2001, Vice President Gore and his staff turned over materials to NARA in accordance with the Presidential Records Act,” a spokesperson for Gore said. “No classified materials have been discovered in the 22 years since VP Gore left public office.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The thought of a request comes after classified documents were found in the homes of Trump, Pence, and President Joe Biden. Biden’s documents, discovered in November, stem from his days as Obama’s vice president. Special counsels have been appointed by the Department of Justice to investigate the documents found at Biden’s and Trump’s homes.

All presidents and vice presidents are required to turn over all classified documents to the National Archives when they leave office, according to the Presidential Records Act.

© 2023 Washington Examiner

NewsRead More