President Biden held a press conference addressing the conclusions of the special counsel's investigation, which looked into allegations of his handling of classified documents. The investigation delved into events spanning over four decades, reaching back to the 1970s when President Biden was a senator. The president emphasized his full cooperation with the special counsel, stating that he did not impede the investigation in any way.
President Biden highlighted the report's distinction between his case and that of former President Trump, noting that the special counsel found significant differences between the two. While the report alleged that Trump refused to return classified documents, obstructed justice, and engaged in evidence destruction, the special counsel stated that Biden willingly turned in classified documents, consented to searches of multiple locations, including his home, and sat for a voluntary interview.
Responding to headlines suggesting he willfully retained documents, President Biden countered that the report actually concluded there was a lack of evidence supporting such claims. He also expressed his disappointment with the mention of his memory regarding the time of his son's death, calling it irrelevant and intrusive.
President Biden asserted that he went through a five-hour in-person interview over two days, despite the ongoing international crisis with Israel at that time. He firmly defended his actions and criticized any extraneous commentary that questioned his cooperation with the investigation.
During the press conference, reporters questioned President Biden about his age and mental acuity, stating that some voters had concerns. The president confidently responded that his memory was fine and mentioned his accomplishments as evidence of his competence. He emphasized that being President of the United States required judgment and dismissed concerns raised by certain individuals in the press.
When asked if he took responsibility for being careless with classified material, President Biden acknowledged the need for improved oversight within his staff, expressing regret for not personally overseeing the transfer of materials to the appropriate locations. He clarified that no high-classified documents were stored in his home and highlighted his belief that a special counsel should have been appointed to avoid any appearance of bias.
President Biden also discussed his efforts to address the conflict in the Gaza Strip, where he had been actively engaged in seeking humanitarian assistance and negotiating a ceasefire. He expressed concern for the innocent people suffering from starvation and urged for a halt to the violence.
In addition, President Biden mentioned previous negotiations with Saudi Arabia regarding recognition of Israel's right to exist and providing ammunition for defensive purposes. He speculated that Hamas might have provoked the conflict as a preemptive measure against these negotiations.
Overall, President Biden concluded the press conference by affirming his commitment to fulfilling his role as President of the United States and continuing his ongoing work for the country.
