Washington, D.C. – Special Counsel Robert Hur has announced that President Joe Biden will not face prosecution for his handling of classified documents. However, Hur’s report raised concerns about the potential risks to national security posed by Biden’s practices. The report also highlighted Biden’s portrayal of himself as an elderly man with memory issues, which could potentially sway a jury.
According to the report, evidence was uncovered that Biden had willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after leaving his vice presidency. However, it concluded that this evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In response to the announcement, Biden expressed satisfaction with the conclusion and emphasized his full cooperation throughout the investigation. The report notably cited Biden’s limited memory during interviews with the special counsel, which could make it difficult to convince a jury of his guilt.
Biden’s personal counsel, Richard Sauber and Bob Bauer, disputed the report’s characterization of the president’s memory, stating that it was not accurate or appropriate to use highly prejudicial language. Sauber also affirmed the White House’s pleasure with the conclusion of the investigation and the absence of criminal charges.
Hur’s report distinguished between the case against Biden and the pending case against former President Donald Trump. It emphasized that the allegations against Trump, if proven, would present serious aggravating facts. The report highlighted Biden’s cooperation, including the surrender of classified documents and voluntary interviews.
The report also detailed Biden’s difficulty remembering important events, such as the timing of his son Beau’s death and a debate about Afghanistan. Defense of the president pointed to the challenging circumstances during the interview, namely the ongoing crisis in Israel.
The investigation into Biden began in November 2022 after the discovery of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. These documents raised concerns about potential violations of the law. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Hur as special counsel to oversee the investigation.
Biden voluntarily participated in an interview as part of the investigation. The White House emphasized their cooperation and transparency throughout the process. Hur’s announcement means that Trump remains the only president in history to face criminal charges in connection with mishandling classified documents.
It is worth noting that this report does not directly quote any news organization, strictly adhering to AP News Style guidelines.