The White House criticized a report from a Department of Justice special counsel, suggesting President Joe Biden suffered memory lapses. Vice President Kamala Harris called it “clearly politically motivated.”
Special Counsel Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney in Maryland during Trump’s administration, conducted the report, leading to an election-year dispute and raising questions about Biden’s age. Biden, 81, recently mixed up world leaders’ names, intensifying concerns.
White House spokesperson Ian Sams and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denounced Hur’s report in a briefing. Hur chose not to press charges after a 15-month probe into Biden’s handling of classified documents, citing Biden’s cooperation.
Hur described Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” who couldn’t recall details, including his son Beau Biden’s death date. The White House rejected these claims, challenging their accuracy and questioning Hur’s motives.
Vice President Harris defended Biden, denouncing the characterization of his demeanor in the report as false and politically driven. Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed the Department of Justice’s independence, contrasting it with Trump’s influence on investigations.
Sams implied Hur, a Republican, may have been swayed by political pressures. Biden vehemently objected to Hur’s comment about his son’s death, which occurred in 2015 after battling brain cancer. Biden often refers to Beau’s death when consoling bereaved families or visiting his grave on the anniversary.
Biden ordered a review of classified information handling during presidential transitions. Jean-Pierre mentioned Biden’s physician didn’t administer a cognitive test during his last physical exam, deeming him fit for the presidency.
Trump, 77, the Republican frontrunner, has also made misidentifications, including confusing Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi. Trump faces various legal challenges related to overturning the 2020 election, business affairs, and allegations of misconduct.
The dispute underscores political tensions and concerns over Biden’s cognitive abilities.