Why Robert Hur Described Joe Biden as an “Elderly Man with a Poor Memory”

The Political Scene | The New Yorker

WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Politics, Obama, News, Wnyc, Washington, Barack, President, Lizza, Wickenden

4.2 • 3.3K Ratings

🗓️ 22 March 2024

⏱️ 40 minutes

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Summary

The New Yorker contributor Jeannie Suk Gersen joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss her interview with Robert Hur, the special prosecutor who caused a political uproar with his report on his investigation into President Biden’s handling of classified documents. The report, which referred to Biden as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” elicited a furious response from the White House—but, Gersen argues, its meaning and Hur’s motivations may have been misunderstood. Gersen and Foggatt also discuss the likelihood that the federal cases against Trump will go to trial before Election Day, and what Americans might expect if they do not.

Read Jeannie Suk Gersen’s piece on Robert Hur here.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	We welcome everyone to today's hearing on the report of Special Counsel Robert Herr.
0:07.0	Mr. Her, thank you.
0:08.0	Thank you Chairman.
0:09.0	Members of the committee, good morning.
0:11.0	When Special Counsel Robert Herr agreed to investigate President Biden for
0:14.7	mishandling classified documents, he knew that his final decision would upset
0:18.8	some faction within American politics.
0:21.0	My respect for the Justice Department and my commitment to this country are why I agreed to serve a special
0:27.2	counsel when asked by the Attorney General.
0:30.1	But as he testified before Congress last week, it was clear that both parties now have a bone to pick with him.
0:35.6	And I am desperately afraid that this decision of the Department of Justice is is now crossed a very bright line.
0:44.8	You made a choice.
0:46.0	That was a political choice.
0:47.7	It was the wrong choice.
0:51.3	It's an awkward situation. Both Biden and Donald Trump have been investigated from
0:55.8	his handling classified documents. Trump is facing a series of felony counts for
1:00.4	the matter, while Biden won't face any.
1:02.4	The long-awaited report by Special... for the matter while Biden won't face any.
1:03.0	The long-awaited report by Special Counsel Robert Herr
1:06.0	concludes that no criminal charges against President Biden are warranted.
1:10.0	But Biden isn't exactly celebrating, because hers report, while vindicating Biden, also referred to him as a quote, elderly man with a poor memory.
1:19.0	My memory is not good. My memory is fine.
	...

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