To equivocate the relevancy of truth means to avoid making a clear and straightforward statement about the importance or significance of truth. It can also mean to express uncertainty or doubt about the value of truth or to suggest that there are other considerations that are more important than the truth. This can be done by giving ambiguous or unclear answers, by making exceptions, or by implying that the truth is not always absolute or objective.
Equivocating the relevancy of truth can have negative consequences as it undermines trust and integrity, as well as promote misunderstanding, errors and even lies. In a democratic society, political and social institutions rely on trust and honest communication to function effectively. Furthermore, in personal and professional relationships, clear and truthful communication is essential for building trust, respect, and understanding.
Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee and a Republican from Kentucky, has initiated investigations into President Biden’s handling of classified material by sending letters to the White House Counsel’s Office and the National Archives. In the letter sent to White House Counsel Stuart Delery, Comer requested all documents retrieved from Biden’s personal office where the classified documents were discovered, a list of individuals who had access to that office, any communications and documents between the White House, Department of Justice, and National Archives regarding the retrieved documents, and any documents or communications related to the handling of classified material by Biden’s personal lawyers, including their security clearance statuses. Comer also sent a letter to the Acting Archivist Debra Steidel Wall, reiterating the committee’s focus on whether the National Archives has “political bias”, and asking for all documents and communications between the National Archives, Department of Justice, White House, and Biden’s attorneys related to the classified documents that were found. Comer has set a deadline of January 24 for the documents to be turned over and for National Archives General Counsel Gary Stern and Director of Congressional Affairs John Hamilton to be available for transcribed interviews with committee staff no later than January 17.