US Senators: DOJ Blocking Access to 'Mishandled' Documents

Facts

• Following a closed-door briefing with the director of National Intelligence on Wednesday, members of the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee (SIC) said they had been denied access to classified documents discovered in the residences of US Pres. Joe Biden, former Pres. Donald Trump, and former VP Mike Pence.
• SIC chairman Mark Warner stated that it is the SIC's prerogative as intelligence oversight to know "if there's been any intelligence compromised," and that waiting for the permission of a special counsel before proceeding was "not going to stand."
• The Justice Department and its special counsels reportedly aren't sharing the sensitive documents with senators due to concerns about the potential for interference with the "ongoing operations" and risk of "compromise with intelligence gathering methods or sources."
• Senators have sought access to the mishandled documents or a risk assessment detailing their content since they were discovered at Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago last summer, arguing the information requested doesn't "interfere with a criminal investigation."
• Meanwhile, Arkansas Republican senator Tom Cotton accused the Biden administration of "stonewalling" Congress — he threatened to block presidential nominees, withhold budgetary funds, and "impose pain on the administration" until Congress is given the documents.
• In 2019, senators had access to hundreds of thousands of classified documents — including intelligence reports and internal FBI notes — while the Justice Department investigated claims that Russia interfered in the 2016 US Presidential election.

Sources: NBC, CNN, Abc (a), Abc (b), Politico, and The New York Times.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Abc News. Senators will have access to the classified documents, but only once a classification review of relevant materials has been completed. It is vital for national security that the intelligence community examines the records beforehand as the materials involve presidents, which complicates and lengthens the process of releasing the information to Congress. The intelligence community will ensure the classified information is not compromised and the country's security is protected.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by FOX News. The Biden administration is intentionally stonewalling senators from accessing sensitive material. The director of National Intelligence decides whether the senators can access classified documents. Since the director coordinates with the White House, it is unlikely the intelligence community can remain unpartisan if it answers to the person it's investigating. The administration should intervene if the White House and the intelligence community keep Congress from performing its constitutional duty.