Special Counsel Robert Hur, who was tasked with probing President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents, is set to testify before Congress in March. Mr. Hur’s testimony before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee on March 12 will likely revolve around his comments on the president’s memory and mental fitness. The upcoming testimony follows the release of Mr. Hur’s 345-page report, which raised concerns about President Biden’s memory.
House Republicans have expressed their intention to question Mr. Hur regarding his statements on the president’s memory. Additionally, they have requested recordings and transcripts of Mr. Hur’s interviews with President Biden during his year-long investigation. The report, published by the US Justice Department, stated that President Biden would not face criminal charges for retaining and disclosing classified materials. However, the report’s focus on the president’s memory drew significant attention.
According to Mr. Hur, President Biden would likely be perceived as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” by a jury rather than as someone who committed a crime. This characterization posed a major challenge for the president’s potential re-election campaign and drew criticism from President Biden, his allies, and his attorneys. White House Counsel Ed Siskel sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland accusing Mr. Hur of violating the Justice Department’s policies by commenting on the president’s mental capacity.
Mr. Hur’s report came after a comprehensive inquiry into President Biden’s handling of classified documents during his tenure as vice-president. The report revealed that the president had “willfully” retained such files after leaving the vice-presidency in 2017. However, Mr. Hur identified significant obstacles to securing a conviction, including President Biden’s age, mental fitness, and demeanor.
This report has amplified criticism from some Republicans who question President Biden’s mental capabilities and suitability for a second term in the White House. On the other hand, Democrats have accused Mr. Hur, a Republican appointed by former President Donald Trump, of exhibiting political bias.
In response to the release of the report, President Biden held a surprise news conference affirming that his memory is intact and expressing outrage at the claim that he forgot when his son Beau passed away.
