Earlier this month the news dropped that President Joe Biden was not so perfect in handling classified documents. Same as his predecessor Donald Trump.

As the story unfolded throughout the week, it became clear that our president has indeed done the same thing he chastised Trump for.

For me, I have a number of issues with the entire situation. First, it’s frustration. How does this issue continue to come up? Hillary and her server. Then, Trump and his barrage of documents at Mar-a-Lago. And, now, Biden. How are the leaders we elected so stupid that understanding the point and importance of classified documents is too damn hard?

Second, I have issues with the responses from both sides of the aisle. When Hillary was questioned about her server it was the media and Republicans picking on her. When Trump’s issues came — it was Democrats and the Department of Justice ganging up.

Now, with Biden, interestingly, it’s the same old thing. Democrats have an excuse saying it’s not as bad as Trump. Republicans calling for raids and answers, saying Biden should be treated no differently than Trump.

At the end of the day, our behavior toward picking one side or the other has created this ongoing mess. Neither side has to respect policy or rules because they will get a pass from their own.

The lack of accountability is a problem. Both sides of the aisle need to start standing up and saying wrong is wrong and stop finding excuses to allow something to continue happening. Trump is in the wrong for having the documents. Biden is wrong for having the documents. Both are wrong and it should not matter which side of the political aisle they serve.

In reality, we look ridiculous as a country. Our leaders can’t leave classified documents where they should be. Our law enforcement agencies can’t seem to manage a situation fairly and professionally.

In the end, we have classified materials thrown throughout the country and no leadership stepping in to do the obvious. The obvious being review the ongoing issue and create policy and measures to stop it from happening anymore.

Why isn’t that happening? Because leadership would have to stop bickering, pointing fingers and finally say there’s a problem and an answer is required to prevent future issues.

A continued effort to treat classified documents as just another piece of paper is going to get worse and at some point, the materials being taken for granted and treated carelessly might be way too important and get in the wrong hands.

This isn’t a story to spin, ignore or avoid — steps must be taken to tell all politicians the rules matter when it comes to protecting our classified documents and information and should be respected. If our leaders have lost perspective so much that they do not understand what classified materials are — maybe a Top Secret 101 class is in order.

Thelma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.