At least 2 in Gang of 8 unsatisfied after classified documents briefing

by Jacob Fuller

Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News

Tuesday, the top Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate received a report on the various documents that have been found in the homes and offices of current and former presidents and vice presidents.

Both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) provided the so-called “Gang of 8” – the term used to describe the individuals within Congress who are briefed on classified intelligence matters by the executive branch – with the report.

The details of the report have remained largely a secret, but it has become evident that not everyone in the room was satisfied with what they heard.

Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) released a joint statement to that effect shortly after the briefing.

“In accordance with our responsibility to oversee the Intelligence Community and protect our national security, today we met with leaders from the IC and the Justice Department to discuss the exposure of classified documents,” the statement reads. “While today’s meeting helped shed some light on these issues, it left much to be desired and we will continue to press for full answers to our questions in accordance with our constitutional oversight obligations.”

The two senators did not elaborate on what they meant nor did they or any other member of the Gang of 8, which consists of four Democrats and four Republicans, offer any details of what was discussed.

Republicans and Democrats alike have been pushing for more transparency from the Justice Department with regard to classified documents found in the possession of former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and President Joe Biden.

Biden has pledged to be transparent about the investigation and has called on the Justice Department to do the same. The White House indicated through a spokesperson that Tuesday’s briefing was a demonstration of that transparency.

“The decision to brief and the determination of what content would be briefed were made by DOJ and ODNI independently, consistent with what we have said for months: that the White House has confidence in DOJ and ODNI to exercise independent judgment about whether or when it may be appropriate for national security reasons to offer briefings on any relevant information in these investigations,” White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement.

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