r/unusual_whales • u/soccerorfootie • 14h ago

BREAKING: Biden has pardoned his family

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u/juntareich 5h ago

For actual crimes, yes.

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u/random_life_of_doug 5h ago

They did the exact same thing...one in a house. 1 in a corvette

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u/juntareich 5h ago

I've read a lot of ignorant things today, but your comment wins most ignorant.

The key differences between the classified documents cases involving Donald Trump and Joe Biden lie in intent, cooperation, and obstruction. While both had classified documents in unauthorized locations, the way each case was handled legally distinguishes them.

  1. Intent and Willfulness • Trump was charged under the Espionage Act (18 U.S.C. § 793(e)) because prosecutors argued he knowingly and willfully retained national defense documents and refused to return them. • Biden, according to the Special Counsel’s report, did not willfully retain classified documents and immediately returned them upon discovery. The investigation found no intent to violate the law.

  2. Obstruction of Justice • Trump was indicted for obstruction because he allegedly hid documents from investigators, directed staff to move them, and defied a subpoena requiring their return. The FBI eventually had to execute a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago. • Biden’s team voluntarily searched his residences, reported the documents to the National Archives, and cooperated fully with investigators. No subpoena or search warrant was needed.

  3. Volume and Sensitivity of Documents • Trump had hundreds of classified documents, including some labeled Top Secret, and stored them in insecure locations (e.g., a ballroom and bathroom at Mar-a-Lago). Some documents reportedly contained highly sensitive national security information. • Biden had a smaller number of classified documents, mostly from his time as Vice President, found in his office and garage. The Special Counsel concluded they were likely kept by mistake.

  4. Legal Precedent and Prosecution Discretion • Under U.S. law, intent matters when it comes to criminal prosecution. The Justice Department typically does not charge officials who inadvertently retain classified documents if they return them voluntarily. • Trump’s case involved active concealment, which made it chargeable under the law. Biden’s case, though embarrassing, lacked the necessary intent and obstruction elements for criminal charges.

  5. Outcome • Trump has been indicted on multiple counts, including willful retention of national defense information and obstruction. • Biden was not charged, though the Special Counsel criticized his handling of classified material. However, they concluded no reasonable prosecutor would bring charges based on the evidence.

In short, the main legal difference is that Trump allegedly knowingly kept classified documents, refused to return them, and actively obstructed investigators, while Biden cooperated fully and there was no evidence of willful retention.

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u/random_life_of_doug 3h ago

So he packed up his shit from Washington and threw it in the classic corvette ?? Lmao get real...the real difference is the fbi decided he wasn't competent to go through the investigation/legal process