Summary

  • Classified files were found in President Joe Biden's Delaware home, the White House said earlier today

  • Similar documents were discovered by aides at a Washington DC office Biden used after his term as vice-president

  • Attorney General Merrick Garland announces an independent lawyer will investigate Biden's handling of classified documents

  • The president tells reporters he takes "classified material seriously" and the White House says they were "inadvertently misplaced"

  • Both batches of files were handed over immediately after they were discovered, Biden's lawyer says

  • White House records - including those of the vice-president - must be handed over to the National Archives once an administration ends

  • Watch the White House news conference by clicking the media player at the top of this page

Live Reporting

Edited by Gareth Evans

  1. Welcome - Biden faces questions about classified files

    US President Joe BidenEPA

    Hello and thanks for joining us as we prepare to hear from US President Joe Biden.

    He’ll be talking to reporters in a while about the US economy and his administration’s efforts to tackle inflation – but we'll also be watching to see if he provides any more information about two sets of classified files that have been found by his aides.

    On Tuesday, it emerged that Biden’s aides had found a batch of classified government records at a private office he once used, dating back to when he was vice-president under Barack Obama.

    A second set of documents has since been found at another location.

    Stay with us for live updates and analysis.