WASHINGTON — A federal task force has put forth recommendations aimed at addressing the longstanding issue of improper handling of classified documents that has affected outgoing presidential administrations for many years. The suggestions focus on improving training and guidance around managing such sensitive materials.
The recommendations were made public on Friday, nearly one year after President Joe Biden established the Presidential Records Task Force. This initiative was designed to examine past transitions between administrations in order to identify effective strategies for protecting classified information during these processes.
In addition to enhancing awareness and training, the task force is urging Congress to allocate funding for secure storage solutions. This would enable departing presidents to have safe access to their records once they have left office.
The formation of this task force followed a report from a special counsel within the Justice Department, which criticized Biden for the improper management of sensitive documents from his vice presidency. These documents should have been transferred to the National Archives for protection.
Biden’s situation arose in the context of a separate investigation into Donald Trump, who faced legal challenges after federal agents searched his Florida residence and charged him with the unlawful retention of classified materials.
The handling of classified documents is particularly relevant now, as Biden prepares to exit the White House just days before Trump is set to take office. The task force commented, “For almost 50 years, every administration — regardless of party affiliation — has dealt with the challenge of classified documents being accidentally removed during presidential transitions.” They noted, “In recent times, classified materials from past administrations have been found in unsecured places.”
The group determined that the inadvertent retention of classified documents tends to happen most frequently during outgoing transitions, attributing this to the myriad responsibilities that outgoing staff must juggle while focusing on transitioning out of their roles.
To address this issue, the task force recommended that the president’s executive office enhance its educational resources, ensuring that all staff understand the requirements established by the Presidential Records Act of 1978, which mandates that presidential documents are preserved as federal property. Additionally, they called for ongoing training throughout the year related to this law.
Furthermore, the task force emphasized that former presidents and vice presidents possess legal rights to access government documents post-tenure but highlighted a lack of federal funding that would facilitate this access. It proposed that Congress should set aside funds for the secure storage of sensitive documents, both in temporary facilities and long-term locations designated for use after a president leaves office.
A February 2024 report from special counsel Robert Hur identified multiple sensitive documents at Biden’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware, as well as at his former office in Washington. The report depicted Biden as “an elderly man with a poor memory,” raising public concerns regarding his cognitive abilities, though Hur ultimately concluded that prosecution was unwarranted in this case.
In contrast, Trump was indicted following an FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022, but he labeled the proceedings against him as a politically motivated attack. This case ceased to be a focal point after he secured victory in the last presidential election.
