Biden is an 'elderly man with a poor memory', says US prosecutor; 'Memory is fine' retorts US President
Biden is an 'elderly man with a poor memory', says US prosecutor; 'Memory is fine' retorts US President
An “elderly” Joe Biden with a “poor memory” will not face charges for knowingly taking classified documents when he left the vice presidency in 2017, said a prosecutor who drew a swift reaction from the US President.
What did the prosecutor say?
Describing Biden a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” Special Counsel Robert Hur said in a report that he opted against bringing criminal charges following a 15-month investigation because the US President, seeking reelection in November 2024 polls, cooperated and would be difficult to convict.
“Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” said Hur, who served as the top federal prosecutor in Maryland during the Trump administration and was tapped to lead the Biden probe by Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023.
Hur wrote that Biden’s memory was “severely limited” when he was interviewed by members of his prosecution team.
Biden forgot what year his term began as vice president under President Barack Obama and when it ended, Hur wrote, and he forgot what year his son Beau died.
Biden’s Angry Rebuttal
Appearing on live television address from the White House, Biden defended his mental competence. Furious over the suggestion made by the attorney that the US President had forgotten when his son, Beau, had died, the leader said the accusation that he had willfully kept the classified material was “just plain wrong.”
“How in the hell dare he raise that,” a visibly angry Biden said.
“Frankly, when I was asked that question, I thought to myself, ‘Wasn’t any of their damn business’,” the US President said.
“I don’t need anyone to remind me when he passed away,” Biden added, appearing emotional as he referenced a rosary he wears that had belonged to Beau.
“Every Memorial Day we hold a service (to) remember him attended by friends and family and the people who loved him,” Biden said, after a pause. “I don’t need anyone – I don’t need anyone to remind me when he passed away.”
He went on to say, “My memory is fine,” adding that he was glad that a special prosecutor had looked into the case.
“My memory is fine,” President Biden tells reporters in a surprise last-minute press conference following a special counsel report that raised questions about his mental fitness. pic.twitter.com/oq1PBaO5Fb
— Last Call (@LastCallCNBC) February 9, 2024
Source: X/@LastCallCNBC
Beau Biden was an Iraq War veteran who served as the attorney general of Delaware. He died in 2015 after battling brain cancer.
Meanwhile, the conclusion by the attorney somewhat ensures that Biden, unlike his expected 2024 presidential rival, Donald Trump, will not risk prison time for mishandling sensitive government documents.
Biden confuses presidents of Mexico & Egypt
However, Biden confused the leaders of Mexico and Egypt during the live address when he was questioned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Biden mistakenly referred to Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the “president of Mexico."
“I think as you know initially, the president of Mexico, El-Sisi, did not want to open up the gate to humanitarian material to get in. I talked to him. I convinced him to open the gate," Biden said.
In remarks assuring the nation that his mental fitness and memory are good, Joe Biden refers to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the “president of Mexico”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 9, 2024
Embarrassment for Biden?
The remark by the attorney may further cause embarrassment for 81-year-old Biden, oldest person ever to serve as US president, who has been trying to convince voters that he should serve another four-year term.
With inputs from agencies
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