Fox News staff bewildered after being blindsided by Tucker Carlson departure: report

Many people within Fox News were reportedly shocked on Monday to learn that firebrand Tucker Carlson, the host of Fox News' most popular show, had left the conservative network.

According to The Washington Post, Carlson’s colleagues at Fox News were “stunned” by the news.

“We’re just learning of this like everyone else, total surprise on my end," one staffer told the publication.

The chairman of Fox Corporation, Rupert Murdoch, personally made the decision to fire Carlson, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

RELATED: 'What's happening to America?' Conservatives flip out over Tucker Carlson departure

“This is major,” an on-air Fox News personality told The Washington Post. “It sends a message that even the guy with the highest ratings of all, by a long shot, doesn’t get to survive this disaster.”

Carlson was the best-known personality on Fox's presenting roster, hosting a prime-time evening show that resonated with the broadcaster's substantial number of right-wing viewers.

A key figure in Republican politics, he often interviewed Donald Trump and has been widely criticized for his alleged lack of journalistic rigor and -- to his critics -- his stream of disinformation and racist and hate-filled rhetoric.

"Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor," the network said in a statement, giving no reason for his departure.

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The 53-year-old Carlson, who joined Fox in 2009, provided no immediate reaction.

Railing against everything from immigration policies to gun controls, "Tucker Carlson Tonight" pilloried liberal trends in modern America, appealing to viewers' outrage and propelling the show to the heights of cable television.

The $787.5-million defamation settlement last week meant that neither Murdoch nor hosts such as Carlson would have to testify in what was expected to be an explosive trial.

But internal Fox News communications released ahead of the scheduled trial had suggested senior figures at the network were prepared to spread falsehoods about the election for fear of losing viewers to rivals.

In the messages, Carlson also said he couldn't wait until he could "ignore Trump most nights," adding: "I hate him passionately."

But Carlson's relationship with Trump appears to still be close, with the former president sitting for a friendly hour-long interview on the show on April 11 after being arraigned on criminal charges in New York.


With additional reporting by AFP

Trump: People 'were crying' at Manhattan courthouse during my arraignment

In an interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, former President Donald Trump claimed that employees at a Manhattan courthouse “were crying” as he was arraigned last week.

“When I went to the courthouse which is also a prison in a sense,” Trump said during the interview, which airs in full on Tuesday night. “They signed me in and I'll tell you people were crying. People that work there."

“Professionally work there that have no problems putting in murderers and they see everybody. It's a tough, tough place and they were crying. They were actually crying. They said I'm sorry."


Watch the latest video at <a href="https://www.foxnews.com">foxnews.com</a>

Watch: Veteran tears into Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert over Jan. 6 jail visit

Retired U.S. Army Sergeant and Iraq War veteran Kristofer Goldsmith criticized Republican lawmakers on Friday for visiting a Washington, D.C., jail where some Jan. 6 defendants are being held.

The congressional delegation is being led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who has expressed sympathy for the Jan. 6 inmates.

“Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and the rest of those far-right Republicans care about January 6 defendants exactly as much as they care about veterans,” Goldsmith said during an appearance on MSNBC.

“We are great photo ops for them; we are great fundraising tools for them. But I know from walking around Capitol Hill for years and trying to talk to Republicans about improving veterans' healthcare, that they will not get involved in anything meaningful, like criminal justice reform. They're going to send out a bunch of emails, they're going there to get a bunch of donations from their rubes, and those people are going to still sit in prison because they broke the law."

IN OTHER NEWS: 'We know he's insane': Former Trump pal claims he's 'shriveling away' as pressure mounts

"That's where they belong, and they are being treated with due process the way that anybody else who breaks the law is going to get treated,” Goldsmith said. “So, you know, I am disappointed to see them do that, but these people disappoint me every day, so it's not a surprise."

Watch video below or at this link.


'I'm going to kill you': White powder in envelope marked for 'Alvin' discovered at Manhattan DA's office

A white powder was found in an envelope addressed to "Alvin" in the mailroom at 80 Centre Street, where a grand jury has been hearing evidence in the case of former President Donald Trump, according to ABC News.

The powder was determined to be non-hazardous, but the intent behind sending it is unclear, sources told ABC News.

According to NBC News, the envelope also contained a letter with the message: "ALVIN: I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Republicans have accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of waging a "politically motivated prosecution" of former President Donald Trump.

Bragg is investigating a $130,000 payment to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels in the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

IN OTHER NEWS: Racist man arrested for tormenting neighbors in years-long spree that involved ‘a large cutout of a Sasquatch’

The payment was allegedly made to stop her from going public about a liaison she says she had with Trump years earlier.

Trump's ex-lawyer-turned-adversary Michael Cohen, who has testified before the grand jury, says he made the payment on his then boss's behalf and was later reimbursed.

If not properly accounted for, the payment could result in a misdemeanor charge for falsifying business records, experts say.

That might be raised to a felony if the false accounting was intended to cover up a second crime, such as a campaign finance violation, which is punishable by up to four years behind bars.

Trump insists he is innocent, and has escalated his attacks on Bragg in recent days. Early Friday morning, the former president warned of "death & destruction" if he were to be charged with a crime.

With additional reporting by AFP

Racist man arrested for tormenting neighbors in years-long spree that involved ‘a large cutout of a Sasquatch’

A man has been taken into custody by the police for racially harassing his neighbor for around two years, according to local news outlet PAHomepage.

Wayne County District Attorney A. G. Howell this week announced the arrest of Ronald J. Barillo, age 63, of Lake Ariel.

Police received multiple reports of Barillo using racial slurs against his neighbors from September 2020 to February 2023.

Law enforcement officials were called eight times to cite Barillo for harassment and repeat offenses, and he was ordered to pay $1,600 on multiple occasions, PAHomepage reported.

IN OTHER NEWS: 'Utter cowardice': Jim Jordan's former colleague blasts his lack of spine in latest Trump controversy

Barillo also put up a large cutout of a sasquatch and an orangutan with its foot on a Chewbacca mask facing his neighbors.

Barillo admitted to calling his neighbors racial slurs and said they should go back to Africa, police said.

Barillo has been charged with six counts of ethnic intimidation, twelve counts of stalking, and six counts of harassment.

He was released on a $100,000 unsecured bail, and his next court date is April 5 at the Wayne County Courthouse, according to PAHomepage.

'Utter cowardice': Jim Jordan's former colleague blasts his lack of spine in latest Trump controversy

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) faced harsh criticism from a former colleague after he refused to comment on controversial remarks recently made by former President Donald Trump.

Trump warned that there could be "death & destruction" if he is charged in a New York investigation into a hush money payment that his personal lawyer paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels in the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

NBC News correspondent Sahil Kapur asked Jordan about the remarks on Friday, but the influential congressman refused to comment.

"Asked Rep. Jim Jordan what he makes of Trump’s warning about 'potential death & destruction' if indicted," Kapur tweeted. "Jordan said he hasn’t seen Trump’s post. When I showed this to him on my phone, he said he can’t read well without his glasses. He added he’s reviewing DA Bragg’s letter."

IN OTHER NEWS: Trump is 'out of his mind scared' after late-night outburst: Morning Joe panel

That didn't sit well with one former GOP congressman.

"Utter cowardice. Not at all the @Jim_Jordan I knew & served with in Congress 10 yrs ago. Or…maybe it is," tweeted former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL).

Walsh served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013. During his time in office, he was known for his staunch conservative views and his involvement with the Tea Party movement. Walsh was a vocal opponent of government spending, the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), and efforts to raise the debt ceiling.

In recent years, Walsh has become a vocal opponent of Trump.

ALSO IN THE NEWS: GOP lawmaker ‘very sad’ Utah parent used his law to request ‘sex-ridden’ Bible be removed from school

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is investigating the $130,000 payment to Daniels.

The payment was allegedly made to stop her from going public about a liaison she says she had with Trump years earlier.

Trump's ex-lawyer-turned-adversary Michael Cohen says he made the payment on his then boss's behalf and was later reimbursed.

If not properly accounted for, the payment could result in a misdemeanor charge for falsifying business records, experts say.

That might be raised to a felony if the false accounting was intended to cover up a second crime, such as a campaign finance violation, which is punishable by up to four years behind bars.

Legal analysts say that argument is untested and would be difficult to prove in court. Any jail time is far from certain.

Trump denies the affair. He repeated on Truth Social Thursday that Bragg has "no case" and accused him again of carrying out a political agenda. "Our country is being destroyed, as they tell us to be peaceful!" he wrote.

Trump is facing several criminal investigations at the state and federal level over possible wrongdoing that threaten his new run at the White House, many more serious than the Manhattan case.

They include his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state of Georgia, his handling of classified documents, and his possible involvement in the January 6 rioting.

Some observers believe an indictment bodes ill for Trump's 2024 chances, while others say it could boost his support.


With additional reporting by AFP

Tense scene unfolds at Alex Murdaugh trial as he gets grilled over his 'vigilante' claims

Alex Murdaugh clashed with prosecutor Creighton Waters on Friday after he suggested that someone inspired by social media had targeted his family. The powerful South Carolina attorney is facing charges that he killed his wife and son.

Murdaugh testified that social media posts about his son Paul, who was facing legal action over a drunken boating accident in 2019 which resulted in the death of one of his friends, might have inspired someone to attack his family.

"I can tell you that at that time and as I sit here today that I believe that boat wreck is the reason why Paul and Maggie were killed," he said.

"I believe when Paul was charged criminally, there were so many leaks, half truths, half reports, half statements, partial information, misrepresentations of Paul that ended up in the media all the time," Murdaugh added. "And when I tell you the social media response that came from that was vile. The things that were said about what they would do to Paul. They were so over the top that nobody would believe anybody would get on social media and do that. But I believe then and I believe today that the wrong person -- the wrong person saw and read that."

IN OTHER NEWS: Double murderer thanks judge for sentencing him to death: 'I'll get a new body and come back'

Prosecutor Creighton Waters noted that Murdaugh had no evidence that a social media-inspired "vigilante" was responsible.

"So we've got random vigilantes because of the boat wreck," Waters said.

Murdaugh, 54, was part of a multi-generation dynasty of wealthy, high-powered attorneys and prosecutors in the state of South Carolina when he plunged into financial problems and drug addiction.

His wife and son were shot and killed on June 7, 2021 at the family's sprawling hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina.

As police struggled to pinpoint a suspect, three months later Murdaugh tried to fake his own murder on a country road so his surviving son could collect on a $10 million insurance policy.

By all accounts, Murdaugh had a "loving relationship" with his wife and children, and could have never committed such a "horrific" crime, his lawyer Richard Harpootlian told the court.

But prosecutors allege that Murdaugh had a darker side, and that to fund his high-flying lifestyle -- as well as his opioid addiction -- he stole exorbitant amounts of money from his law firm, clients and relatives.

Watch video below or at this link.

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With additional reporting by AFP

Trump brutally mocked after tabloid reveals details of his new Mar-a-Lago gig

Critics of President Donald Trump are having a field day after learning about his new hobby.

Page Six reported Friday that the former president “now has a regular gig” as a DJ at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

“Trump is officially DJing every Thursday night,” a source told the publication. The source further added that Trump sits at his table with an iPad, where he lines up tunes such as Céline Dion’s hit song from “Titanic” while he eats.

“If this man is never actually going to be in jail for his various crimes, the next best thing is for him just to stay put in that soothing, Groundhogs Day-style time loop, utterly content with his Thursday night DJ gigs and unable to f*ck up geopolitics,” wrote Jezebel’s Laura Bassett in response to the news.

IN OTHER NEWS: Florida student knocks out teacher in brutal attack after she takes his Nintendo Switch

Earlier this month, New York Times reporter revealed a memo from the former president in which he advertised his upcoming gig.

“Great music will be played during dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, with President Trump playing the role of disc jockey,” the memo said. “The music will be amazing, it will be lots of fun, and will go until the late evening.”

“The one thing I hold dear is that all of the worst people you know will eventually try to become a DJ,” remarked author Jill Twiss after seeing the memo.

Trump launched into the 2024 White House race last year, setting the stage for a bruising Republican nomination battle after a poor midterm election showing by his hand-picked candidates weakened his grip on the party.

"America's comeback starts right now," the 76-year-old former president told hundreds of supporters gathered at Mar-a-Lago.

WATCH: Anderson Cooper 'stunned' as Alex Murdaugh contradicts his own son's testimony

"In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States," Trump said, minutes after filing the official paperwork for his third presidential run.

Trump's unusually early entry into the race was seen in Washington as an attempt to get the jump on other Republicans seeking to be party flag-bearer -- and to stave off potential criminal charges.

Trump, who was impeached for seeking political dirt on Biden from Ukraine and again after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by his supporters, launched his new bid with several potential handicaps.

He is the target of multiple investigations into his conduct before, during and after his first term as president -- which could ultimately result in his disqualification.

These include allegations of fraud by his family business, his role in the attack on the Capitol, his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, and his stashing of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Several possible 2024 primary rivals are circling, chief among them the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, who bucked the midterm tide and won a resounding reelection victory on November 8.

The powerful media empire of Rupert Murdoch has already appeared to turn its back on Trump, labelling him a "loser" who shows "increasingly poor judgement."


With additional reporting by AFP

'Are we under attack?' Trump Jr. loses it over train derailments

Donald Trump Jr. on Friday suggested that the United States might be under attack because of recent train derailments in Ohio and Michigan.

"Are we under attack?" Trump Jr. posted on Twitter. "Does anyone believe you can have all of these major train derailments, all with severe environmental consequences, and it’s just total coincidence?"

"Why have we not seen anyone even asking if this is perhaps retribution for our supposed attack on Nordstream 2?" he added, referring a report claiming that the United States had secretly sabotaged gas pipelines last year in the Baltic Sea.

Trump Jr. has also claimed that the Biden administration is ignoring the derailments because it has impacted predominantly white communities.

IN OTHER NEWS: Trump attorney hires his own attorney as DOJ classified documents probe ramps up

"Maybe if the people of East Palestine Ohio pretend they’re Palestinians from the Middle East the Biden administration will actually pay some attention to them and send them aid," he posted on his father's Truth Social website.

The Norfolk Southern cargo train derailment on February 3 sparked a massive fire.

To avert explosion, the railroad conducted a controlled release of the chemicals, which discharged toxic and potentially deadly fumes into the air, the Ohio governor's office said.

"We're going to get to the bottom of this," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a briefing, adding that "we're going to hold Norfolk Southern accountable."

Hundreds of evacuated residents have been allowed to return home, however many have voiced alarm over health issues, with some reporting headaches and stating that they fear they may end up with cancer in several years.

Some 3,500 fish meanwhile died along 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) of nearby streams, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported.

READ MORE: 'Earthshaking' subpoenas suggest Trump had his 'lawyers commit crimes for him': analysis

Authorities say tests show that the air is safe and no pollutants are being detected in the municipal water system.

However those whose water comes from private wells should continue to use bottled water until their well is tested, they said.

One resident told local TV station WKYC that people were "suspicious, paranoid and worried."

Another, Kelly Felger, told CNN that "I'm scared, I'm scared for my family, I'm scared for my town."

On Thursday, another Norfolk Southern train derailed outside Detroit, Michigan in the small community of Van Buren Township.

Of the overturned cars, one contained agricultural grain and the others were empty, the township's public safety department said on Facebook.

"The involved train had one railcar that contained liquid chlorine; however it was located away from the overturned section," it said.


With additional reporting by AFP

Josh Duggar moved to solitary confinement — and it 'is so bad': report

Disgraced conservative Christian activist Josh Duggar has been placed in solitary confinement at the Federal Correctional Institution in Seagoville, Texas, according to a new report from the tabloid Radar Online.

Duggar, who was featured in TLC’s reality TV series “19 Kids and Counting,” was reportedly placed in solitary confinement after he was caught with an illegal cellphone in prison.

"He went into the [solitary housing unit] for having a cellphone," a source told Radar Online. "I can tell you that the [solitary housing unit] there is so bad that the regional office was just down there to see what was going on."

Duggar was sentenced to 151 months in prison after he was convicted of possession of child pornography last year.

IN OTHER NEWS: Kimberly Guilfoyle bristles after Gavin Newsom says she fell prey to Fox News

Duggar previously worked at the Family Research Council, where he advocated against rights for same-sex couples and LGBTQ individuals. He resigned from his position after reports emerged that he had molested his sisters.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends,” Duggar wrote in a statement to People magazine. “I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life.”

Watch: Sarah Sanders delivers GOP response to Biden’s State of the Union

Arkansas governor and former White house press secretary Sarah Sanders is delivering the Republican response to Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

An unnamed Sanders spokesperson told CBS News that she “will seek to contrast Republicans with Mr. Biden and the Democrats, claiming Republicans are for freedom while Democrats are for government control. The choice, she will suggest, isn't between right or left, but between ‘normal and crazy.’”

“Sanders will say Republicans are fighting to hold the president accountable, while they stand for safe communities, jobs, and freedom from the ‘woke’ mobs in state capitals,“ the official said.

Watch live video below:

Watch Live: Republican Response to State of the Union | WSJwww.youtube.com

'This is yikes': Ex-Trump lawyer startled by Trump fundraising email 'impersonating' DeSantis — but it's fake

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is under fire after a local news anchor from Florida accused the organization of sending out a fundraising email that appeared to be from Governor Ron DeSantis. But the Trump campaign says the email is fake.

“It’s a slick fundraising email,” tweeted Spectrum News 13 anchor Greg Angel on Monday, noting that it included the Florida governor’s “campaign logo, photo, and all.”

“But - check the fine print,” he continued. “It’s a fundraising email actually for Trump PAC and presidential campaign. Always read the fine print.”

“A former popular president using a very popular governor to raise campaign cash? Not the first email like this. More and more it shows Gov. DeSantis’ orbit of power and influence - his gravitational pull in the GOP,” Angel added in a subsequent tweet.

The allegations prompted a flood of reactions.

"Trump is impersonating DeSantis in this fundraising email? Highly doubtful Team DeSantis signed off on this. Not a good sign for Trump 2024 campaign, sorry," tweeted media strategist Gabriella Hoffman.

Many in Trumpworld responded as well.

“Over/under on DeSantis campaign sending a cease and desist? Because this is yikes,” said former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis.

But Brad Parscale, a former Trump campaign manager, claimed that the fundraising email was fake. “You should confirm things first. Making more #FakeNews like usual,” he said in response to Angel’s tweet.

Alexander Bruesewitz, a conservative political strategist, also alleged that the fundraising email was fake. But he placed the blame among allies of DeSantis.

“This is a FAKE,” Bruesewitz wrote on Twitter. “No official Trump PAC sent this email out. Pro-Ron DeSantis 2024 surrogates are spreading this lie all over the place."

The Trump campaign later outright denied that it had sent the email.

“This fundraising email is fake and did not come from us,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung told Semafor’s Shelby Talcott.

Watch: Republicans face criticism for ignoring 'very valid reason' for Trump and Biden to be treated differently

A political analyst suggested Monday on CNN that Republicans were acting hypocritically by vowing to investigate President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents after defending former President Donald Trump.

Secret documents have been found both at an office Biden used after he ended his service as Barack Obama's vice president in 2017 and in the garage of his Delaware home. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, has demanded to see visitor logs for Biden's home.

“Congressman Comer himself never asked for the visitor logs from Mar-a-Lago while he's asked for the visiting logs for President Biden’s Delaware home, and a lot of Republicans -- including Representative Comer and Speaker Kevin McCarthy -- all rallied behind former President Trump,” noted Laura Barrón-López, the White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

She noted that Republicans are planning to investigate the FBI, arguing that the agency has been “weaponized because of the fact that they conducted that search of Mar-a-Lago.

IN OTHER NEWS: Lauren Boebert calls for 'conspiracy theorists' Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell to be ousted from Intel Committee

“So, a lot of the Republicans are even admitting... that it is not so much the classified documents they're concerned about, they think that there has been some unequal treatment,” Barrón-López said. “But there is a very valid reason from officials, from DOJ officials, from the FBI, why there was different treatment, because of the fact that President Biden’s lawyers so far appear to be cooperating and immediately sending back documents and that is not what Trump and his team did. They withheld for more than a year.”

Biden's team is cooperating with investigators and the attorney general, Merrick Garland, quickly appointed a special counsel to head the probe into what happened.

That's a far cry, Biden defenders say, from the behavior of Donald Trump, who is being investigated by a different special counsel for his handling of classified documents.

Trump took several hundred classified files out of the White House to his Florida home, compared to what lawyers say were around a dozen improperly stored by Biden.

Trump actively resisted officials' attempts to recover the documents until a judge signed off on an FBI search warrant. The documents reportedly detail ultra-restricted nuclear secrets.

Watch video below or at this link.


With additional reporting by AFP

Watch: Biden goes toe-to-toe with Fox’s Peter Doocy after classified docs are found in his garage

President Joe Biden clashed with Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy on Thursday after the White House said that "a small number" of classified documents had been found at Biden's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

The documents were reportedly found in his garage.

"Classified materials next to your Corvette? What were you thinking?" Doocy asked the president.

"My Corvette's in a locked garage so it's not like it's sitting on the street," Biden shot back.

"So the material was in a locked garage?" Doocy pressed.

IN OTHER NEWS: Reporters baffled after George Santos drops a 'magic resignation number' of 142

"Yes, as well as my Corvette," Biden said.

Biden said that he was "cooperating fully" with a Justice Department review after classified documents were found at his private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

Lawyers "discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my personal library," Biden said, adding "I take classified documents and classified material seriously."

Watch video below or at this link.


With additional reporting by AFP

White House facing 'grim realization' after Biden team turns over secret docs

The discovery of classified documents at a private office used by President Joe Biden could complicate the investigation into similar documents found at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, according to a new report from Politico

Classified documents from the time when Biden was serving as Barack Obama's vice president have been found at a Washington think tank that he sometimes used as office space, the White House said Monday.

Lawyers for Biden discovered the documents last November while clearing out the office space and handed them over to the National Archives, which handles all such materials, Biden's special counsel Richard Sauber said.

"The White House is cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice," Sauber said in a statement.

IN OTHER NEWS: Special counsel Jack Smith slaps Rudy Giuliani with a subpoena

Sauber described it as "a small number of documents with classified markings" that were found at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. He said they were in a locked closet at the time.

"The documents were not the subject of any previous request or inquiry" and since handing them over, Biden's attorneys have also cooperated "to ensure that any Obama-Biden Administration records are appropriately in the possession of the Archives," he said.

CNN reported Tuesday that Biden and his team are now “facing sharp new questions as he prepares for a summit” with world leaders in Mexico City.

Biden and his legal team do not know what classified documents were found in his private office, CNN reported. But sources told CNN that the materials include top-secret files with the “sensitive compartmented information” designation.

READ MORE: Proud Boys attorney fails to convince judge to move trial

According to Politico, “a grim realization” has “set in around the West Wing that the discovery complicates the politics — if not the legal case — surrounding the documents found at Mar-a-Lago.”

CBS News reported that Attorney General Merrick Garland has assigned the US attorney in Chicago to review the documents and that the FBI is also investigating. According to the report, about 10 documents are involved and an unidentified source familiar with them said none contain nuclear secrets.

In August, authorities searched ex-president Donald Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago after he failed to respond to repeated requests for cooperation on retrieving documents taken from the White House after his 2020 election loss.

The FBI found thousands of government documents, including more than 100 that were marked classified, and some marked top secret in the ex-president's Florida club. Subjects covered in the documents reportedly included sensitive intelligence on China and Iran, and nuclear secrets.

"When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified," Trump said in a brief statement after the discovery of the documents at the think tank emerged Monday.

In a statement, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland highlighted what he considers to be important differences between the two cases.

“Attorneys for President Biden appear to have taken immediate and proper action to notify the National Archives about their discovery of a small handful of classified documents found in a locked cabinet at the Penn Biden Center so they could be returned to federal government custody," said Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

"I have confidence that the Attorney General took the appropriate steps to ensure the careful review of the circumstances surrounding the possession and discovery of these documents and make an impartial decision about any further action that may be needed.”


With additional reporting by AFP