FEBRUARY 08, 2024
Remarks by President Biden
Diplomatic Reception Room
7:59 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hey, everybody.
Q Good evening.
Q Good evening, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Let me say a few things before I take your questions.
As you know, the special counsel released its findings today about their look into my handling of classified documents. I was pleased to see he reached a firm conclusion that no charges should be brought against me in this case.
This was an exhaustive investigation going back more than 40 years — even into the 1970s, when I was still a new United States senator.
The special counsel that acknowledged I cooperated completely, I did not throw up any roadblocks, I sought no delays. In fact, I was so determined to give the special counsel what he needed, I went forward with a five-hour in-person — five-hour in-person interview over two days on October the 8th and 9th of last year, even though Israel had just been attacked by Hamas on the 7th and I was very occupied. It was in the middle of handling an international crisis.
I was especially pleased to see special counsel make clear the stark distinction and difference between this case and Mr. Trump’s case. The special counsel wrote, and I quote, “Several material distinctions between Mr. Trump’s case and Mr. Biden’s are clear.”
Continuing to quote, “Most notably, after given multiple chances to return classified documents to avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite. According to the indictment, he not only refused to return the documents for many months, he also obstructed justice by enlisting others to destroy evidence and then to lie about it.”
“In contrast,” it went on to say, “Mr. Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives and the Department of Justice; consented to the search of multiple locations, including his home; sat for a voluntary interview; and in other ways cooperated with the investigation,” end of quote.
I’ve seen the headlines since the report was released about my willful retention of documents. This — these assertions are not only misleading, they’re just plain wrong.
On page 215 — if you had a chance — I know it’s a long — it’s a thick document. On page 215, the report of the special counsel found the exact opposite.
Here’s what he wrote: “There is, in fact, a shortage of evidence” that I willfully retained classified materials related to Afghanistan.
On page 12, the special counsel also wrote for another documents, “The decision to decline criminal charges was straightforward… the evidence suggests that Mr. Biden
did not willfully retain these documents.” The evidence said I did not willfully retain these documents.
In addition, I know there’s some attention paid to some language in the report about my recollection of events. There’s even a reference that I don’t remember when my son died. How in the hell dare he raise that.
Frankly, when I was asked the question, I thought to myself it wasn’t any of their damn business.
Let me tell you something. Some of you have commented — I wear, since the day he died, every single day, the rosary he got from our Lady of —
Every Memorial Day, we hold a service remembering him, attended by friends and family and the people who loved him. I don’t need anyone — I don’t need anyone to remind me when he passed away or if he passed away.
The simple truth is I sat for five hours of interviews over two days of events, going back 40 years. At the same time, I was managing an international crisis.
Their task was to make a decision about whether to move forward with charges in this case. That was their decision to make. That’s the counsel’s decision to make. That’s his job. And they decided not to move forward.
For any extraneous commentary, they don’t know what they’re talking about. It has no place in this report.
The bottom line is: The matter is now closed. And we can continue what I have always focused on: my job of being President of the United States of America.
I thank you, and I’ll take some questions.
Q President Biden, something the special counsel said in his report is that one of the reasons you were not charged is because, in his description, you are a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”
THE PRESIDENT: I am well-meaning, and I’m an elderly man, and I know what the hell I’m doing. I’ve been President. I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation. That’s totally un- —
Q How bad is your memory? And can you continue as President?
THE PRESIDENT: My memory is so bad, I let you speak. That’s the —
Q Do you —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s what —
Q Do you feel your memory has gotten worse, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Now, look, my memory has not gotten — my memory is fine. My memory — take a look at what I’ve done since I’ve become President. None of you thought I could pass any of the things I got passed. How did that happen?
[….]
If you think that was inadvertent, I have a bridge I can sell you.
