White House Counsel Requests Revision of Special Counsel Report on President Biden’s Memory
In a recent development, the White House counsel’s office has requested special counsel Robert Hur to revise the language in his report on President Biden’s handling of classified documents. The report highlighted that the president’s memory “appeared to have significant limitations,” which could potentially impact how a jury perceives him. The counsel’s office found the language used in the report to be inflammatory and urged Hur to revisit and revise it.
While the investigation did not find any criminal charges against President Biden regarding his handling of classified documents during his time as vice president, the report’s citations and characterizations of his memory could prove to be politically damaging as he runs for a second term.
The report specifically pointed out instances where President Biden struggled to remember events. During an interview with Hur’s office, he failed to recall when his term as vice president ended and when it began. Additionally, he displayed hazy memory when discussing important topics such as the Afghanistan debate. The report also mentioned an erroneous statement made by President Biden regarding a difference of opinion with General Karl Eikenberry, whom he actually cited approvingly in a memo to President Obama.
President Biden addressed the report’s assertions about his memory during a news conference, expressing his displeasure with the claim that he could not remember when his son died. He vehemently defended himself, stating that it wasn’t anyone’s business and asserting that he wears a rosary on his wrist every day in memory of his son. However, he did struggle to recall the name of the church from which the rosary came.
Defending himself further, President Biden emphasized the challenges of managing an international crisis while undergoing a lengthy interview. He stated that the special counsel’s role was to decide whether to bring charges, and any extraneous commentary had no place in the report. Despite Hur’s assertion that a jury would view him as a well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory, President Biden confidently stated that he knows what he’s doing and that his memory has not worsened during his presidency.
The report’s characterizations of President Biden’s memory received criticism from Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president in the White House counsel’s office, and Bob Bauer, personal counsel to Mr. Biden. They argued that the language used was prejudicial and unsupported by the facts. They requested Hur to revise his descriptions of the president’s memory within the bounds of his expertise and remit.
Republicans swiftly seized upon the report’s descriptions of President Biden’s memory, highlighting concerns about his fitness for office. The report’s suggestion that his memory limitations could hinder a jury’s ability to find him guilty of a serious felony raised alarm among House Republican leadership. They argued that a man who is incapable of being held accountable for mishandling classified information is unfit for the Oval Office.
As the matter now stands closed, President Biden remains focused on his role as the president of the United States. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, the report’s impact on public perception and political dynamics remains to be seen.
