The Special Counsel investigating Joe Biden over classified documents released a report stating that “no criminal charges are warranted” against the President. The report states that Biden did, in fact, willfully retain classified material after finishing his term as Vice President under President Obama. President Biden kept sensitive documents referencing a surge in Afghanistan poorly secured in his garage in Delaware. This is illegal and could potentially yield charges and penalties. However, the report indicates that there would be insufficient evidence to bring a case forward and gain a conviction.
Special Counsel Robert Hur is a lifelong Republican appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland. Although Hur declined to recommend charges against the President, he raised other issues that are definite causes for concern. One key piece of information is about Biden’s mental state. Robert Hur noted Biden’s memory was so poor that he could not remember the exact dates when he was the Vice President, the dates of his son Beau’s death, and a myriad of other things. “Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview with him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” Mr. Hur wrote.
Robert Hur also clearly distinguished between this case and the case against President Donald Trump. He noted that Biden fully cooperated and handed over documents when requested, while Trump did not. The allegations against Trump are that he tried to find ways around submitting papers and had some evidence destroyed.
SOURCES:
Live updates: Special counsel report on Biden’s handling of classified documents released
Special counsel says there is evidence Biden ‘willfully retained and disclosed classified materials’ but will not be charged
Justice Department will not charge Biden in classified documents investigation : NPR
Special Counsel in Biden Classified Documents Case Will Not Seek Charges – The New York Times
Special counsel won’t charge Biden for his handling of classified docs, despite evidence he ‘willfully retained’ materials – ABC News
