President Biden Defends Handling of Classified Documents and Mental Acuity
President Biden gave a fiery defense of his mental acuity at the White House on Thursday evening. This came after a report from the Justice Department special counsel described him as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” Biden emphasized that the DOJ concluded he should not be charged over classified documents found in his home and office. He blamed his staff for the documents being in the wrong places and took responsibility for not overseeing their efforts more closely.
Biden’s Emotional Response to Special Counsel’s Description
Biden angrily responded to special counsel Robert Hur’s description of a portion of an interview where Biden seemed to not remember when his son, Beau, died. He stated that it was “none of their damn business” and choked up with emotion. Biden rejected Hur’s description and defended his memory, stating that he didn’t need anyone to remind him of his son’s passing. He also criticized the report, saying that they don’t know what they’re talking about.
Biden’s Memory Slips and Comparison to Trump
Biden’s memory slips have been highlighted recently, with him mixing up names of foreign leaders and mistakenly referring to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt as the “president of Mexico.” He also described Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip as “over the top.” Despite these incidents, Biden maintained that his memory is fine. He used the opportunity to draw a distinction between his handling of classified documents and that of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to retention of classified documents.
Hur’s Report and Conclusion of Investigation
Special counsel Robert Hur’s report concluded that no criminal charges were warranted against President Biden. The report described Biden as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. It stated that it would have been difficult to convince a jury to convict him of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness. The investigation uncovered evidence that Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency. These materials included documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan. Hur’s decision not to pursue charges brings an end to the investigation.
Comparison to Trump’s Case
Biden highlighted the distinction between his handling of classified documents and Trump’s case. Trump is facing multiple federal criminal charges after classified material was found in unsecure locations at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Biden expressed satisfaction with the special counsel’s report, which made it clear that there is a stark difference between his case and Trump’s.
In conclusion, President Biden defended his handling of classified documents and his mental acuity in a fiery news conference. He rejected the description of him as an elderly man with a poor memory and criticized the report. Despite memory slips, Biden maintained that his memory is fine. The investigation concluded with no criminal charges being recommended. Biden drew a distinction between his case and Trump’s, highlighting the difference in their handling of classified documents.