In a September interview with CBS’ Scott Pelley for “60 Minutes,”
President Joe Biden blasted DONALD TRUMP for taking sensitive classified
materials with him to Mar-a-Lago. When he learned the news, Biden said
he instantly wanted to know “how that could possibly happen.” He worried
that the documents contained information “that may compromise sources
and methods.” He was flummoxed how “anyone could be that irresponsible.”

Now, four months later, those same pointed reactions are aimed at Biden
after the revelation yesterday that a trove of classified documents were
discovered in the garage at his home in Wilmington, Del. — prompting AG
Merrick Garland to appoint former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special
counsel to probe Biden’s handling of classified documents.

For the White House, it’s a burgeoning political nightmare that comes
just as Biden tries to draw a contrast with the new House Republican
majority, which the administration is eager to cast as chaotic and
irresponsible.

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Raghu Manavalan is the host and senior editor of POLITICO's Playbook
Daily Briefing.
Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.