In a recently released report by special counsel Robert Herr, it has been detailed that President Biden, prior to assuming the presidency, retained classified information. However, the special counsel has determined that President Biden will not face charges in relation to this matter. While this brings relief to the White House from a legal standpoint, politically, it presents significant challenges for an administration engaged in a tough campaign against former President Donald Trump.
The report highlights that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified information to a ghostwriter, a finding that holds considerable weight. The decision not to bring charges stems from the belief that President Biden may be perceived as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory by a jury. The report reveals instances where President Biden displayed lack of recollection, such as forgetting when his term as vice president ended and when it began, as well as struggling to recall the time of his son's passing and details about the Afghanistan debate.
These findings come on the heels of President Biden making several inaccurate remarks recently, including references to deceased public figures. Understandably, the White House now faces the task of addressing and rectifying these issues. A statement released by the president's personal lawyer, Bob Bauer, challenges the accuracy and appropriateness of the special counsel's treatment of President Biden's memory.
Bauer further criticizes the special counsel's approach, stating that the report could have been presented as a summary final report, but instead spans 379 pages. The statement raises concerns about the extensive nature of the 15-month inquiry, involving numerous interviews, witness testimonies, and the significant use of taxpayer dollars. It also implies frustration within the White House regarding the delay in the report's release and the decision to appoint Herr, a former senior official in the Trump administration.
While the frustrations surrounding the investigation and its handling are apparent, the statement emphasizes the necessity to adhere to well-established department norms and avoid violating them. It suggests that certain comments regarding the president's memory and recall in the report were inappropriate and irrelevant.
The timing of this report and its implications for the Biden administration during a contentious campaign period with Donald Trump is politically challenging. The White House now faces the task of addressing and countering the report's findings, while striving to maintain positive momentum in their campaign efforts.
