President’s Lawyers Criticize Report’s Characterization
President Biden’s memory lapses were emphasized in a recently released report by Special Counsel Hur. The report detailed how Biden forgot basic facts about his personal history, his family, and even his own time as vice president. The president’s lawyers, Richard Sauber and Bob Bauer, criticized the report’s language and claimed that it has no place in a Department of Justice report.
President’s Response
During a press conference, President Biden stated that he had cooperated fully with the special counsel’s investigation. He highlighted that he had even undergone a five-hour in-person interview, despite being in the midst of an international crisis involving an attack on Israel. The president emphasized that the special counsel had decided against moving forward with any charges, effectively closing the matter.
Lawyers’ Criticism
Biden’s personal lawyers, Sauber and Bauer, penned a letter to Hur, expressing their disagreement with the report’s treatment of the president’s memory. They argued that the report’s language was inaccurate and inappropriate, and that it used prejudicial language to describe a common occurrence among witnesses – a lack of recall of years-old events. They also pointed out that Biden performed well during the five-hour interview, considering the circumstances.
White House Support
The White House reiterated the president’s counsel, emphasizing the dates of the interviews conducted during the investigation. They stood behind Biden, highlighting that he had answered questions about years-old events over the course of an extensive interview.
Report’s Findings
The report by Special Counsel Hur detailed Biden’s memory issues, stating that he forgot basic facts about his own personal history and his family. It referred to Biden as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” The report also highlighted that a jury would have difficulty convicting Biden of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.
The report cited specific instances where Biden’s memory faltered, such as forgetting when his term as vice president ended and began, as well as failing to remember when his son Beau died. It also highlighted his hazy recollection of important matters, including mischaracterizing his relationship with General Karl Eikenberry during the Afghanistan debate.
The report acknowledged that Biden’s memory limitations would likely be emphasized by his attorneys during a trial, particularly in a case where the government must prove that he knowingly violated the law by retaining classified documents after leaving the vice presidency.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the report.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman and Joe Schoffstall contributed to this report.