WASHINGTON, D.C. – Robert Hur, who was appointed as special counsel to investigate President Biden’s handling of classified documents, has managed to upset both sides of the aisle. Members on the House Judiciary grilled Hur on his February report. The final report, despite finding evidence suggesting that Biden knew some of the material he possessed was secret, did not recommend criminally prosecuting Biden.
“I called it like I saw it,” said Hur in the hearing.
Hur is in the spotlight since releasing his findings in February. In the House Judiciary hearing he defended his report.
“We did not, however, identify evidence that rose to the level of proof beyond reasonable doubt,” said Hur. “Because the evidence fell short of that standard I declined criminal charges against Mr. Biden.”
The hearing turned into a proxy campaign battle. Republicans were outraged. They questioned the fairness of prosecuting former President Donald Trump and not Biden. Republicans said the evidence suggests Biden knew some of the material he had was secret.
“Joe Biden broke the law,” said Chairman Jim Jordan (R- OH).
Democrats argue what Trump did in his handling of classified documents was way worse.
“Trump obstructed the smith investigation by directing one of his employees to move boxes of documents to conceal from the FBI and the grand jury,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D- NY).
Democrats are upset about the report’s portrayal of Biden’s mental competency. The report said Biden’s memory was significantly limited in their interview and at a trial, it will likely convince some jurors that he made an innocent mistake rather than acting willfully. The report also states that at a trial, Biden would likely present himself to a jury as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.
“My task was determine whether the president retained or disclosed national defense information willfully,” said Hur. “That means knowingly and with the intent the law forbids. I could not make that determination without assessing the president’s state of mind. My assessment of the president’s memory was necessary accurate and fair.”
