Special counsel Robert Hull on Tuesday defended his controversial decision to assess President Joe Biden’s “memory and overall mental state” as part of an investigation into the retention of classified documents after Biden became vice president.
“My task is to determine whether the president knowingly withheld or disclosed defense information,” Hull told the House Judiciary Committee in testimony to the Biden inquiry.
“I could not have made this decision without evaluating the president’s state of mind,” Houle testified.
The special counsel concluded in the investigation’s final report that Biden “knowingly withheld and disclosed classified material,” which the special counsel wrote “posed a serious risk to national security.”
But Hull also said in the report that he decided not to criminally prosecute Biden for his handling of the materials, in part because of the president’s alleged poor memory, among other reasons.
“I have to consider the president’s memory and overall mental state and how a jury might view his memory and mental state in a criminal trial,” Houle testified Tuesday.
Biden and his lawyers have strongly disputed Hoole’s account of the president’s memory, pointing to details in the special counsel’s report that undermine his claim that Hoole intentionally withheld classified documents.
“I did not sanitize my explanation. I did not unfairly disparage the president,” Hoole told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Hall told Congress he did not recommend charging Biden because the evidence did not rise to the level of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Because the evidence does not meet this standard, I decline to recommend criminal charges against Mr. Biden,” Hull said.
Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee released Tuesday transcript Hull’s interview with Biden.
Former Special Counsel Robert K. Hur testifies alongside a video of President Joe Biden before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC, on March 12, 2024.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
According to NBC News, Hall resigned from his position as special counsel before testifying, which is normal for prosecutors appointed by the Justice Department to lead investigations.
Hour and the other special counsels appointed to investigate Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and former President Donald Trump were appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to avoid conflicts of interest because President Biden is Garland’s boss.
Trump was indicted in federal court in Florida by special prosecutor Jack Smith on charges that he kept classified documents at his Palm Beach residence after leaving the White House and allegedly tried to conceal those records from government officials after they determined he was missing.
Republican presidential candidate Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
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