US President Joe Biden said no charges would be filed in the classified documents case after the release of the special counsel’s report on Thursday. Biden scathingly disputed the special counsel’s claim that he cannot remember past events, including the death of his son Beau. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
President Joe Biden said after the release of the special counsel’s report that no charges would be filed in the classified documents case. Biden said. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks after the release of the special counsel’s report that there will be no charges in the classified documents case, Thursday, February 8, 2024, in the diplomatic office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
President Joe Biden walks from the West Wing toward Marine One before departing from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday. The president will head to Leesburg, Virginia, where he is scheduled to address the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks after the release of the special counsel’s report that there will be no charges in the classified documents case, Thursday, February 8, 2024, in the diplomatic office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
February 8 (UPI) — President Joe Biden on Thursday angrily denounced the report’s claims, which cast doubt on his memory of past events and appeared to criticize his mental acuity.
A report on his handling of classified documents did not prosecute him, but found that he “intentionally retained and disclosed classified materials” after serving as vice president.
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The report also said Biden had difficulty remembering the time of his son Beau’s death.
“I wonder why on earth he would bring that up,” Biden said, later adding, “My memory is fine.”
Earlier Thursday, Special Counsel Robert Hur released a report culminating a year-long investigation into the president’s handling of classified documents.
The special counsel chose not to indict Biden, saying the evidence “does not prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Ho’s report concluded that Biden knowingly kept and disclosed classified military and national security information. But it also said that Biden should not be prosecuted because, as the report characterizes him, he is a “well-meaning elderly person with limited memory.”
“I say that with good intentions,” Biden said. “And I’m an old man. And I know what I’m doing. … I don’t need his recommendation.”
The report also said Biden’s 2023 meeting with the special counsel had “severely limited” memory, and Ho detailed further instances of the 81-year-old president’s memory loss in the report. He went on to say that he couldn’t remember when Biden was vice president. president.
At a news conference Thursday night, Mr. Biden spoke about the media’s characterization of his memory, and Mr. denounced the claim.
“Frankly, when the question was asked, I thought it was none of their business,” Biden said. “Every year on Memorial Day, we hold a service in his memory attended by friends, family, and those who loved him. I don’t need you to remind me of that.”
Mr. Biden also said that his memories of the hours-long meeting with the special counsel influenced his attention to addressing global issues at the same time.
Richard Sauber, the presidential special counsel, and Bob Bauer, Biden’s personal adviser, disputed the report’s depiction of the president’s memory as “neither accurate nor appropriate.”
“The report uses highly prejudicial language that describes an event that is common among witnesses: an inability to remember events that occurred many years ago,” they said.
But Sauber said the White House was “pleased” the investigation had concluded without criminal charges.
“I disagree with the many inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the special counsel’s report,” Sauber said. “Nevertheless, the most important decision made by the special counsel – that the charges are not warranted – is firmly based on the facts and evidence.”
The president has previously made gaffes involving deceased people, including when he accidentally called out Rep. Jackie Walorski at an event in September 2022. The Indiana Republican died in a car accident last month. Last year, Biden confused Chinese President Xi Jinping with Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese leader who died in 1977.
Biden’s age is a deep concern for voters. An NBC poll released this week found that 76% of voters said they had serious or moderate concerns about Biden’s physical and mental health during his anticipated second term.
Additionally, 81% of independents and 54% of Democrats said they had serious or moderate concerns about Biden’s suitability for a second term.
The report is certain to be a boon for former President Donald Trump in this year’s general election. The pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. is already leveraging the findings.
“If he’s too old and too old to stand trial, he’s too old and too old to be president. Joe Biden is not fit to lead this country,” said Alex Pfeiffer, PAC’s communications director. Ta.
Regarding the documents case, Biden said he was pleased the special counsel reached the same conclusion he believed it would reach from the beginning.
“I cooperated fully and did not create any obstacles or ask for any delays,” he said.
Mr. Biden also declined to claim executive privilege in the investigation of Mr. Xu over classified documents found in his home and office.
Attorney General Merrick Garland predicted Wednesday that no charges would likely be filed in the Biden documents case.
In a letter Thursday to members of Congress, Garland said Herr’s report would be submitted to Congress.
Mr. Biden agreed to a voluntary interview with Mr. Xu in October, and the White House announced at the time that the president was cooperating with the investigation.
Several classified documents were discovered by Biden’s lawyers searching his private office at the Penn Biden Center for Foreign Affairs and Global Engagement. The document was created when Biden served as vice president in President Barack Obama’s administration.
A second document was discovered at Biden’s home.
Mr. Herr was appointed to investigate by Mr. Garland in the same month that the documents were discovered. Mr. Xu concluded his investigation and submitted a report to the Ministry of Justice on Monday.
Biden voluntarily turned over the documents when they were discovered.
The case comes after President Trump was indicted on 40 counts of illegally possessing classified documents.
Mr. Heo’s report pointed out the differences between Mr. Biden’s classified documents case and Mr. Trump’s classified documents case. The National Archives made repeated attempts to recover documents from President Trump but failed until the FBI obtained a search warrant for his Mar-a-Lago home.
As a result, the Jack Smith Special Council investigated the incident, which resulted in a grand jury filing criminal charges against the former president.
Trump slammed Huh’s decision not to recommend charges against Biden and what he called a “two-tiered judicial system and unconstitutional selective persecution.”
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and accused Justice Department officials of unfairly targeting Republicans with legal charges. He remains the only president in history to face criminal charges.
Alex Pfeiffer, director of communications for the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again, immediately pounced on the report, saying, “If you’re too old to stand trial, you’re too old to be president.” Joe Biden is not fit to lead this country.”