What's Up with the 'Docs?'

 

The discovery of classified documents at the homes of three top elected U.S. officials has left many lawmakers and former government workers shaking their heads and wondering how the country has ended up in this situation.

Authorities found dozens of classified materials at former President Trump’s home last year, including some marked “top secret,” that he did not promptly turn over to the National Archives.

Lawyers for President Biden found several classified documents at his Delaware residence in recent weeks, a discovery that prompted lawyers for former Vice President Mike Pence to search his Indiana home. They found a small number of papers with classified markings in the process.

Lawyers for both Biden and Pence alerted the National Archives and Justice Department about the discoveries.

The findings have lawmakers and aides who have dealt with classified documents puzzled over how there could be a breakdown in process in consecutive administrations, and it has triggered discussion over what reforms could prevent such mistakes from happening in the future. It has also left some officials worried that it will further erode trust in government institutions.

Historian Matthew Connelly says government records are marked as "classified" three times every second — and many of them will never be declassified. Listen to the podcast as we talk about what this means for the public and how this might change considering the ongoing controversy of classified documents discovered in Trump, Bidens, and now Pence's possession.

1) How many classified documents are there?

2) What's different about classified information?

3) Who has the power to classify?

4) Why would a newspaper article be classified?

5) Can a president declassify documents and how long does it take?

6) Is The U.S. Gov't designating too many documents as 'Classified'? ' Explain your opinion.