Florida – Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, a die-hard Trump supporter over the years, has delivered a surprising statement regarding U.S. President Jot Biden’s handling of classified documents case saying that Biden shouldn’t be charged for keeping classified documents at his residence. “I don’t think Biden should have been charged. I don’t think Trump should be charged,” Gaetz said during Tuesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing. It appears that Gaetz only wants to protect Trump who faces serious charges for handling classified documents case.
Biden’s handling of classified documents
Joe Biden will not be prosecuted in connection with the case. Robert Hur, the special counsel in charge of investigating Biden’s handling of classified documents, recently confirmed this decision. Hur’s findings in February highlighted that classified documents from the Obama administration were discovered at Biden’s home in Delaware and his Penn Biden Center office in Washington, D.C., from November 2022 through January 2023. The decision not to prosecute was based on Biden’s cooperation with the investigation and the absence of conclusive evidence proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Trump’s handling of classified documents
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump is confronting severe charges related to his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Trump, with the assistance of Judge Aileen Cannon, whom he appointed, is endeavoring to postpone his trial, ideally until after the November general election. This strategy appears to be effective, as Judge Cannon has agreed to delay Trump’s trial amid strong opposition from prosecutors.
Many still question Biden’s mental health
Robert Hur’s investigation brought up concerns about whether President Biden, who is 81, is mentally fit enough. He mentioned that Biden might come across to people as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. A detailed account of Biden’s talk with Hur was shared on Tuesday, shedding light on what they discussed.
New details emerge
It comes a month after Biden fiercely attacked the special counsel for invoking his late son during the interview. Although it was unclear how Beau Biden came up in conversation, Hur cited an incident in his report in which the president did not remember when his son died of brain cancer. However, the transcript contradicts Biden’s account, revealing that Hur never asked Biden about Beau and that it was the president who brought up his son’s death, according to the Associated Press.
Gaetz pushed Robert Hur
On Tuesday, Hur spoke to lawmakers, answering questions about his investigation, especially about Biden’s ability to remember things. During this, Gaetz challenged Hur, suggesting Hur was too lenient with Biden because of his age, calling it the “senile cooperator theory.” Gaetz believed Biden shouldn’t be charged but tried to get Hur to admit that Biden was not truthful about how he dealt with some classified documents. Hur didn’t say Biden lied but mentioned the president’s statements did not match the findings of his team.
Concerns over Biden’s age
The publication of Hur’s findings has brought back worries about Biden’s age as he plans to run for a second term. Donald Trump, who is likely to be Biden’s Republican rival in the 2024 election and is 77 years old, used the report to criticize Biden, who is 81. Gaetz mentioned again that he believes Trump shouldn’t face charges either.
Trump faces 40 charges for handling classified documents case
Trump, along with other Republicans, has argued that Biden not being charged shows that the Department of Justice is unfairly targeting Trump. Trump, who has said he did nothing wrong, faces 40 charges related to claims he kept classified documents after leaving office in January 2021 and then interfered with the government’s efforts to get them back.
