Jen Psaki, the ex-White House press secretary, critiqued special counsel Robert Hur on her MSNBC show “Inside with Jen Psaki” for his assessment of President Biden’s memory in a recent investigation.
Biden’s Memory As A Political Tool
Psaki argued that the report’s focus on Biden’s recall abilities handed “a big old gift” to former President Trump’s political allies.
Portrayed Sympathetically?
Hur’s 388-page report, released last Thursday, found Biden had “willfully” kept classified documents but did not charge him with any crime.
The report stirred controversy, particularly for portraying Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” which some see as a sympathetic characterization.
Legal Rationale
Hur’s comments on Biden’s age and memory might impact the campaign, but his rationale for not charging Biden hinges on the law and Biden’s ability to refute claims of deliberate retention of records.
Proving ‘Willful’ Retention
The Espionage Act demands proof of “willful” retention of national defense information, a challenging burden for prosecutors, especially considering Biden’s proactive disclosure of the documents’ presence.
Cooperation in Investigation
Hur acknowledged that Biden’s cooperation, including his voluntary report of the Afghanistan documents in his Delaware garage, could persuade jurors of an unintentional error rather than a deliberate legal breach.
A Memory Debate
The focus on President Biden’s memory in Hur’s report has been a major point in media coverage, with Biden’s opponents using it to question his fitness for another presidential term.
Biden at 81
Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary under Biden, remarked on Sunday, “I wasn’t aware that [Hur] was also a doctor, but he included this line, basically questioning the cognitive abilities of Joe Biden.”
She also acknowledged Biden’s age, emphasizing that he’s not a “young sprite” and is aware of his 81 years.
Baby Boomers in Politics
“It’s not a narrative. It’s a fact. And the constant questioning about his age is one of the biggest challenges that his campaign faces. They know that,” Psaki added.
“But let’s not forget who 81-year-old Joe Biden is running against, 77-year-old, not a sprite, Donald Trump. Whatever you wish, it is time to settle into the fact that there will be two baby boomers competing for the White House in November.”
Egypt or Mexico?
Psaki brought up Biden’s recent press conference, where he mistakenly called Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the “president of Mexico” while discussing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Gaffe Game
“Look, President Biden makes gaffes. He has … for years. But if we’re going to pay the gaffe game, let’s play the gaffe game for a moment,” she said, highlighting that if gaffes were the criteria, she could fill “hours of shows” with Trump’s mix-ups.
Election Risks
Psaki then questioned what “Dr. Hur” would say about Trump’s gaffes, but emphasized the focus should not be on who makes more gaffes or on slight differences in mental acuity based on age, but on more significant election risks.
Beyond Gaffes
“But honestly, it’s beside the larger point because Trump gaffing is not even close to what the biggest risks of electing him are. And if we continue to focus on questions like who is the bigger gaffe machine, or what is the mental acuity difference between a 77-year-old and an 81-year-old, then we are all doing something very wrong,” she added.
Biden Cleared, Still Targeted
Despite Hur clearing Biden of criminal charges, Republicans are using the report’s findings, especially the criticisms of Biden’s memory, to their advantage with the election approaching and voter concerns about Biden’s fitness for a second term.
Presidential Fitness
House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have stated that someone deemed incapable of accountability for mishandling classified information is unfit for the presidency.
Biden’s Competence
Alex Pfeiffer, of the pro-Trump super PAC, echoed this sentiment, asserting, “If you’re too senile to stand trial, then you’re too senile to be president. Joe Biden is unfit to lead this nation.”
Trump Reacts
Trump has also commented on the situation, arguing that his own charges for retaining classified materials after leaving office are now invalid, urging, “Deranged Jack Smith should drop the case immediately against us.”
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