The U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents, determining that no criminal charges will be filed. Although this clears a significant legal cloud hovering over the president, a detailed report by Special Counsel Robert Hur is expected to offer a critical account of the events.

According to a person familiar with the matter, the investigation — initiated when documents marked as classified were discovered at President Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware home and a former private office in Washington — is now complete. The final report is anticipated to be released soon, potentially within days.

Special Counsel Hur was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to examine whether classified materials from Biden’s time as vice president were improperly stored or retained. Though the Justice Department concluded that criminal prosecution is unwarranted, the contents of the report are likely to stir public and political debate, especially as they may include images and findings that reflect poorly on how the documents were handled.

Advisors to the president are reportedly bracing for the release of photographs showing documents in locations such as Biden’s garage, raising concerns about optics and public reaction, particularly as the 2024 election season intensifies. Some insiders worry that the visuals could undermine the narrative of cooperation and transparency that the Biden team has promoted throughout the investigation.

The controversy dates back to late 2022 when classified documents were first found by Biden’s attorneys. Unlike some other high-profile document investigations, the president’s team notified authorities and agreed to a voluntary search of his property. This level of cooperation has been cited as a key factor in the Justice Department’s decision not to file charges.

Still, critics have raised concerns about the pace and communication surrounding the disclosures. Anthony Coley, a former senior adviser to the attorney general, suggested that the slow and staggered revelation of information may have contributed to public confusion and skepticism.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has also investigated similar matters involving other high-level officials. It recently closed a case involving former Vice President Mike Pence after concluding that no wrongdoing occurred in his possession of classified materials. That decision, too, was based on cooperation and a lack of evidence suggesting intentional mishandling.

Former President Donald Trump, however, remains under indictment for alleged obstruction and improper retention of classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Unlike the Biden and Pence cases, the charges against Trump involve claims of deliberate efforts to prevent the return of government property. His legal team continues to fight the charges in court, and the timeline for trial remains uncertain.

In a notable development in that case, the presiding judge recently denied a request by prosecutors to compel the Trump defense to reveal whether it intends to rely on legal advice as part of its argument. The court ruled that it was premature to force such disclosure before other pre-trial processes had been completed.

Legal experts suggest that delays in Trump’s classified documents trial could push proceedings past the upcoming election, raising further questions about how justice intersects with politics. Observers have pointed to the possibility that the trial may not happen at all before voters head to the polls.

Back in Washington, the release of the Hur report will close a chapter in a year-long inquiry into Biden’s document retention. While the absence of criminal charges offers relief to the administration, the report itself — and any accompanying visuals — may reopen broader debates about the handling of sensitive government materials by current and former officials.

What remains clear is that the issue of classified information — how it is stored, protected, and shared — continues to pose challenges at the highest levels of government. With multiple cases, differing outcomes, and a rapidly approaching election, the national conversation on the matter is far from over.