On Thursday, February 9, 2024, President Joe Biden addressed the controversy surrounding the Department of Justice Special Counsel’s report on his handling of classified documents during a surprise news briefing. The report, which found that Biden “wilfully retained and disclosed” classified files, also questioned the president’s memory and ability to recall key life events.
Biden, however, pushed back against the claims, stating, “My memory is fine.” He took particular offense to a question about his son Beau’s passing, saying, “How the hell dare he raise that?” The special counsel’s report suggested that Biden could not recall when his son died, which occurred in 2015.
The president, who is 81 years old, acknowledged that he was “very occupied” during his interview with the special counsel, which took place from October 8-9, 2023, amid an international crisis. The report also claimed that Biden shared sensitive material from hand-written notebooks with a ghostwriter for his memoir, a finding that the president denied from the podium.
Biden’s legal team criticized the special counsel’s report, stating that the language used was “highly prejudicial” and that a lack of recall of years-old events is commonplace among witnesses. White House lawyer Richard Sauber wrote in a letter attached to the report, “The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.”
The special counsel’s report comes as opinion polls indicate that the president’s age is a concern for US voters ahead of November’s White House election. However, Biden maintained that he was the most qualified candidate, saying, “I am well-meaning, and I am elderly. I know what the hell I’m doing. I put this country back on its feet.”
When asked whether he took responsibility for having classified documents in his home, Biden blamed his staff, stating that he didn’t know they had put sensitive memos in his garage, where the special counsel says they were located next to a dog bed.
The discovery of the top secret files at Biden’s house in Wilmington, Delaware, and former private office from 2022-23, follows a separate investigation charging former President Donald Trump with mishandling classified documents following his departure from the White House. Trump faces a trial in that case this May.
The special counsel’s report distinguishes between both cases, stating that Biden handed over the documents to government archivists, while Trump “allegedly and it will be important to follow as it develops. The report has also sparked a debate about the president’s age and mental acuity, but Biden has maintained that he is the best candidate for the job and that he knows what he is doing.
It is essential for the government to have strict protocols and guidelines for handling classified documents to prevent any potential mishandling or misuse. Additionally, it is crucial for there to be transparency and accountability in government to ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the institutions that serve them.
It is also important to note that the special counsel’s report is not a criminal indictment, but rather an investigation into the matter. The report does not make any recommendations for legal action, but it does raise questions about the handling of classified documents by current and former government officials. The report highlights the need for better systems and protocols for handling classified documents and the importance of transparency and accountability in government.
The President’s legal team’s criticism of the report also raises the issue of the language used in the report being “highly prejudicial” and that a lack of recall of years-old events is commonplace among witnesses. This raises the question of the fairness and impartiality of the investigation.
In addition, the report also highlights the need for better education and training for government officials and their staff on handling classified documents, as well as the need for regular audits and checks to ensure compliance with regulations.
In conclusion, the special counsel’s report on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents has raised important questions about the handling of classified documents by current and former government officials, the need for transparency and accountability in government, and the importance of having systems and protocols in place to handle classified documents.
The investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents is ongoing, and it will be important to follow as it develops. The report also highlights the need for better education and training for government officials and their staff on handling classified documents, as well as the need for regular audits and checks to ensure compliance with regulations. The criticism of the report by the President’s legal team also raises questions about the fairness and impartiality of the investigation.
