The U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its investigation into the presence of classified documents at the Indiana residence of former Vice President Mike Pence, choosing not to pursue any charges, according to a department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In a letter addressed to Pence, the department notified him of the probe’s closure.
Following the discovery of classified material at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate subsequent to his departure from office, the National Archives urged former presidents and vice presidents to conduct thorough examinations of their own possessions for any government property. Pence’s legal counsel promptly informed authorities about the uncovering of records containing classified markings, prompting an FBI search at his Indianapolis residence earlier this year.
Reports from NBC and CNN confirmed the termination of the investigation on Friday, while representatives for Pence, who served alongside Trump as vice president, have yet to comment on the matter.
Throughout the process, Pence’s spokesperson affirmed that the former vice president had fully cooperated with the investigation. Pence himself publicly acknowledged the presence of the classified documents and referred to it as a mistake.
While Pence’s case has been concluded, a separate special counsel, Jack Smith, continues to examine Trump’s handling of classified materials subsequent to his departure from office in January 2021. Additionally, another special counsel has been appointed to investigate President Joe Biden’s possession of classified material. Both Trump and Biden are currently vying for the presidency in the forthcoming 2024 election, and Pence is expected to announce his candidacy next week.
As the investigation into classified documents related to prominent political figures unfolds, the conclusion of the probe into Pence marks a significant development. The Department of Justice’s decision not to file charges against the former vice president raises questions about the handling of classified information and underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding such matters.
