Recently released audio from a special counsel interview reveals significant memory lapses by then-President Biden, contradicting previous assertions by White House officials that he had not forgotten key details. In the audio, Biden struggles to remember the year his son Beau died from brain cancer, requiring prompts from his lawyers during the interview. This revelation is part of an inquiry by Special Counsel Robert Hur into Biden’s handling of classified documents from his vice presidency.
The release of this audio is reigniting discussions among Democrats about the implications of Biden’s cognitive state, especially regarding potential impacts on the party’s performance in the upcoming 2024 elections. Despite Biden aides’ claims of his strong memory, Hur’s final report described Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” drawing criticism from Biden’s camp, who argued against this characterization during the investigation.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s cognitive abilities gained traction as Republican figures, including Donald Trump, seized on Hur’s assessments, demanding the audio’s release. Attorney General Merrick Garland had initially withheld the audio, citing executive privilege, which led to contempt of Congress proceedings against him and lawsuits from news organizations seeking access to the recordings.
Hur concluded that although there was evidence Biden had willfully retained classified information, he doubted a conviction would be achievable, partly due to the president’s memory issues. This evaluation faced backlash from Biden’s legal team and critics who deemed it unfair since no charges were filed. Following a poor debate performance against Trump, which raised further concerns about his mental sharpness, Biden ultimately withdrew from the 2024 race.
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