Video: Biden responds to special counsel: 'I'm old and I know what I'm doing'
US President Joe Biden has slammed an investigation that revealed he mishandled top secret files and said he has trouble remembering important life events.
In a surprise press conference Thursday night, Biden insisted, “My memory is fine.”
He criticized claims that he could not remember when his son died, saying: “How on earth would you say that?”
The investigation found that Biden “intentionally retained and disclosed” classified files, but decided not to prosecute.
Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Hur determined that Biden improperly kept classified documents related to Afghanistan's military and foreign policy while serving as vice president.
A scathing 345-page report released earlier in the day said there were “significant limitations” to the president's memory.
Mr. Xu met with the 81-year-old president for five hours as part of his investigation.
The special counsel said he could not remember when Biden was vice president (2009-2017) or even “when his son Beau died within a few years” (2015).
At a news conference Thursday night, an emotional Biden slammed texts that cast doubt on his memory of events.
“Frankly, when I was asked the question, I thought it was none of their business,” he said.
“I don't need anyone to remind me when he is.” [Beau Biden] died. ”
When he was questioned by the special prosecutor from October 8th to 9th last year, just as the Israel-Gaza war broke out, he stated that he was “very busy in the midst of responding to an international crisis.''
The investigation also revealed that Biden shared some confidential information in handwritten notes for his memoir with a ghostwriter, a fact the president denied on stage.
The special counsel concluded that it would be difficult to convict the president of mishandling the files, because “at trial, Mr. Biden appeared as sympathetic as he was during our interview. “They are more likely to appear before a jury as a well-intentioned elderly person.” A man with a bad memory. ”
Opinion polls show that the president's age is a concern for American voters ahead of November's White House election. But Biden told reporters Thursday that he is the most qualified candidate.
“I say that with good intentions,” he said. “I'm an old man. I know what I'm doing. I got this country back on its feet.
“I don't need his recommendation.”
But despite trying to rebut a reporter's questions about his age and mental acuity, he inadvertently referred to Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as the “President of Mexico.”
Asked to comment on the latest updates on the Israel-Gaza war, he said: “You know, I think Mexican President Sisi initially didn't want to open the gates to allow humanitarian supplies to come in.” .
Report finds classified files stored in Biden's garage next to dog bed and firewood
Asked if he was responsible for keeping classified documents in his home, Biden blamed his staff.
He said he didn't know they left classified notes in his garage, but the special prosecutor said they were next to his dog's bed.
A BBC reporter in the White House's diplomatic reception room said the atmosphere was tense.
When a journalist said Americans were concerned about his age, Mr. Biden responded with a low voice: “That's your decision. That's your decision.”
He maintained that his memory was “good” and had “not worsened” during his term as president.
Biden's lawyers also criticized the special counsel's comments about Biden's apparent memory loss.
In a letter attached to the report, White House Counsel Richard Sauber said, “The report is based on a highly biased view of commonplace events among witnesses, including their inability to remember events from years ago. He uses words that are full of meaning.”
The top secret files were found at Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, and in his former private office from 2022 to 2023.
The discovery came after a separate investigation in which former President Donald Trump, 77, was accused of mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House. He will go on trial in this case in May this year.
The Hur report distinguishes between both incidents, saying that Biden turned over documents to government archivists, while Trump “allegedly did the opposite.”
Biden's notebook was also recovered from his home office in Delaware.
“The indictment alleges that Trump not only refused for months to return documents, but also obstructed justice by cooperating with others to destroy evidence and then lying,” the report said.
In response, Trump said his classified files trial should be halted by Justice Department prosecutors.
“If Special Counsel Jack Smith wants to do good for our country and contribute to the unity of our country, he should drop all charges against me, a political opponent of Joe Biden, and help our country heal.” the Republican White House front-runner posted on his platform. true society.
Additional reporting by Rebecca Hartmann
