'My memory is fine' - Biden hits back at special counsel

Biden disputes findings of mishandling of classified files

During a surprise news briefing, President Joe Biden defended himself against an investigation that accused him of improperly retaining and disclosing classified documents. He adamantly stated that his memory is fine and pushed back against claims that he struggled to recall important events.

The inquiry, led by Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Hur, discovered that President Biden had kept classified files related to military and foreign policy in Afghanistan after his tenure as vice-president. The report, released earlier in the day, also highlighted the president's memory limitations, stating that he could not recall significant periods of his vice-presidential term or the exact time of his son's death.

President Biden expressed frustration with the report's criticisms of his recollection, particularly regarding his son's passing. He stressed that it was deeply personal and nobody's business. He defended his actions by citing his involvement in handling an international crisis during the time of the interview with the special counsel.

President denies sharing classified material with ghostwriter

In addition to mishandling classified files, the investigation also claimed that President Biden had shared sensitive material from hand-written notebooks with a ghostwriter for his memoir. During the news conference, the president denied these allegations, contradicting the findings of the report.

The special counsel admitted that convicting President Biden of mishandling files would be challenging due to his likely defense of being an elderly man with a poor memory. This defense could appeal to sympathies and make it difficult to secure a conviction in a trial.

Opinion polls have raised concerns about President Biden's age, but he reaffirmed his qualifications and knowledge, stating that he knows what he's doing and doesn't require the special counsel's recommendation.

Blaming staff for classified documents in his home

When questioned about the presence of classified documents in his home, President Biden shifted the blame to his staff, claiming he was unaware of their actions. He expressed surprise that sensitive memos were stored in his garage near a dog bed. The president's legal team also criticized the report for its prejudicial language concerning memory lapses.

The investigation revealed that classified files were discovered at President Biden's house in Delaware. A previous investigation had charged former President Donald Trump with mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House. The report differentiates between the two cases, highlighting how President Biden handed the documents over to government archivists.