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☆ How Trump will seek to pit federal judges against each other to avoid trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Katelyn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“Meaning, ice her,” said a person familiar with Trump’s trial schedule strategy. That would create a hole in Trump’s court schedule after the New York trial that no other case is positioned to fill. The special counsel’s office has repeatedly argued that the public, too, deserves to have Trump’s federal election case before a jury quickly, potentially even before the next presidential election. While Trump couldn’t be on trial simultaneously in two different courts, judges could have overlapping schedules initially because trial dates can often move. He’s not going to be in more than one criminal trial at the same time.”CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Tanya Chutkan, ”, Aileen Cannon, Trump’s, Cannon, Aileen Canon, Obama, Chutkan, Trump, Stormy Daniels, “, ” Trump, Todd Blanche, –, it’s, applicant’s, Juan Merchan, ” Merchan, Blanche, ” Blanche, Merchan, Mr, He’s, ” CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand Organizations: CNN, Trump, Quinnipiac University, New, Justice Department, Supreme Locations: Florida, Georgia, Washington, DC, Manhattan, York, Fort Pierce , Florida, New York

☆ Biden lawyers wrote to AG Garland objecting to aspects of Hur’s report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —The White House wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland the day before special counsel Robert Hur’s report was released, vehemently objecting to aspects of the report – including its “multiple denigrating statements” about the president’s memory. Ultimately, Hur did not appear to heed calls by Biden’s lawyers to produce a narrow and concise report limited to the facts of the charging decision. The lawyers wrote Hur’s report “mirrors one of the most widely-recognized examples in recent history of inappropriate prosecutor criticism of uncharged conduct.”“The FBI and DOJ personnel’s criticism of uncharged conduct during investigations in connection with the 2016 election was found to violate ‘long-standing Department practice and protocol,’” the lawyers wrote. The letter underscores the deep anger generated by Hur’s report inside the White House and lays bare tensions between Biden’s team and Garland. CNN has previously reported that frustrations have run high inside the White House regarding some of Garland’s decisions related to the classified documents matter.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Robert Hur’s, Joe Biden’s, Hur, —, ”, Bob Bauer, Edward Siskel, Garland, James Comey, Hillary Clinton, Biden, General Bradley Weinsheimer, Bauer, Richard Sauber, Weinsheimer –, Eric Holder Organizations: Washington CNN, DOJ, FBI, Politico, The New York Times, CNN, White, Department

☆ Special counsel urges Supreme Court to deny Trump’s request for delay in immunity case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Special counsel Jack Smith pressed the Supreme Court on Wednesday to let stand a lower court ruling that denied former President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution, urging the justices to allow the trial in his election subversion case to begin quickly. “The charged crimes strike at the heart of our democracy,” Smith told the Supreme Court. Smith asked that if the court orders a delay that it consider the request an appeal and set the case for expedited briefing and argument. Trump on Monday asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block that decision so he could appeal it. Earlier Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts gave Smith until February 20 to respond to Trump’s emergency request.

Persons: Jack Smith, Donald Trump, ” Smith, Trump, Smith, “, John Roberts Organizations: CNN, Supreme, DC Circuit, Monday, Trump, Republican

☆ Review of Sensitive Issues Slows Potential Release of Biden Transcript
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The White House’s review of whether to release a transcript of a special counsel’s interview of President Biden that set off a political furor is being complicated by the sensitive material it covers, including classified information, security measures and discussions that could be subject to executive privilege, people familiar with the matter said. The White House has been pressed by reporters seeking the transcript since the release last week of the report by Robert K. Hur, a special counsel who investigated Mr. Biden’s handling of classified records from his vice presidency after he left office. And three Republican chairmen of House oversight committees have sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland demanding that he turn over both the transcript and audio recording. Such a disclosure does not appear imminent, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters about why the review is challenging. Mr. Hur, who was appointed by Mr. Garland and had served as a political appointee in the Trump Justice Department, found that “no criminal charges are warranted” against Mr. Biden even though classified material from his vice presidency had been found at an office and in his home.

Persons: Biden, Robert K, Hur, General Merrick B, Garland, . Hur Organizations: White, Trump Justice Department, Mr

☆ Frustrated White House sends letter to press corps, skewering coverage of Biden’s handling of classified files
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The White House is making its frustration over recent press coverage known. In a letter Tuesday to the White House Correspondents’ Association, Ian Sams, spokesperson for the White House Counsel’s Office, expressed concern over how the news media has covered Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified material. Sams’ letter is yet another step White House officials have taken to push back against press narratives about the report. It’s not just the White House making such arguments though. The White House, of course, knows that it will not be successful in getting news organizations to walk back previous coverage.

Persons: Ian Sams, Robert Hur’s, Joe Biden’s, Sams, ” Sams, Biden “, ”, Hur, Biden, It’s, Andrew Weissmann, Robert Mueller’s, Donald Trump, Ryan Goodman, Robert Hur, ” Weissmann, Goodman, “ Organizations: CNN, White, ’ Association, Just, New York University Locations: Afghanistan

☆ Opinion: Jon Stewart’s brilliant return
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Opinion Bill Carter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images Stewart waves goodbye backstage after taping the last episode of "The Jon Stewart Show" in 1995. M. Caulfield/WireImage/Getty Images Stewart appears on an episode of CNN's "Crossfire" with Paul Begala, left, and Tucker Carlson in 2004. Ethan Miller/Getty Images Stewart signs an autograph on the Emmys red carpet in 2009. Zach Gibson/Getty Images Stewart appears on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2019. Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty Images Stewart smiles as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks by him on Capitol Hill in 2019.

Persons: Bill Carter, CNN —, Bill Carter Bill Carter, Jon Stewart, ” Stewart’s, Stewart, “, ”, Joe Biden, Travis Kelce, ” Stewart, —, Abdel Fattah el, Biden, ” Jon Stewart, Victoria Will, College of William & Mary, William, Mary Athletics Stewart, Conan O'Brien, Lesly Weiner, Mike Piazza, Jeff Kravitz, Catherine McGann, Ron Galella, Jennifer Beals, Guillermo Diaz, Universal Pictures Stewart, Tracey McShane, Steve Eichner, Adam Sandler, Corey Sipkin, Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, CNN Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Colbert, Scott Gries, Todd Plitt, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms, Samantha Bee —, Ethan Miller, Kevork Djansezian, Mark Peterson, Bill Kotsatos, Nathan, Maggie, Tomorrowland Speedway, David Roark, Benjamin Lowy, Bill O'Reilly, Jamie McCarthy, Valentino, Tracey, Jo, Anne McArthur, Barack Obama, Pete Souza, Trevor Noah, Noah, Brad Barket, Comedy Central Stewart, Alex Wong, Rossum, James Devaney, John Feal, Zach Gibson, Scott Kowalchyk, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Bill Clark, Twain, Kevin Wolf, Matt Wilson, Donald Trump, Biden’s forgetfulness, Trump, Jack Paar, Dulcé Sloan Organizations: The New York Times, CNN, HBO, Comedy Central, “ CBS, Super, College of William &, Mary Athletics, MTV, Getty, Miramax, Everett, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Television Critics Association, Caulfield, MTV Networks, Comedy, Tomorrowland, Walt Disney, Disney, Cancer Moonshot Initiative, New York Knicks, FealGood, CBS, Kennedy Center, Performing Arts, Daily, Democratic, Biden Locations: TikTok, Gaza, Mexico, Egypt, Williamsburg , Virginia, New York, Washington , DC, Florida, Washington ,, Pennsylvania

☆ Biden and Jordanian king look to move Israel-Hamas war to a new phase
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Michael Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden and King Abdullah II of Jordan met Monday aiming to figure out how to move the Israel-Hamas war into a new phase in which Israeli hostages are released and fighting stops for a prolonged period of time. “The key elements of the deal are on the table,” Biden said while addressing reporters alongside the king at the White House. “We cannot stand by and let this continue,” the Jordanian king told reporters. The president’s supporters have frequently pointed to the Israel-Hamas war as evidence of Biden’s mental faculties being in good shape. The Jordanian and Egyptian governments have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, while Biden has resisted making a similar call.

Persons: Joe Biden, King Abdullah II, Jordan, ” Biden, I’ve, “, Biden, Abdullah, ”, ” Abdullah, Robert Hur’s, Biden’s amped, King Abdullah, Kamala Harris, Hur, ” Harris, Daniel Goldman, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, CNN’s MJ Lee, Priscilla Alvarez, Betsy Klein, Kevin Liptak Organizations: Washington CNN, White, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, United Nations, Wing, Biden, Democratic, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israeli, US, CNN Locations: Israel, United States, Gaza, Rafah, Jordanian, “, New York, Jordan, Egypt, Amman, Gaza’s Al, Ahli, Iran

Former President Donald Trump kicked off a last-ditch effort to preserve his claim of total immunity from criminal charges by asking the Supreme Court on Monday to intervene, filing an application for a stay of a lower-court ruling that he cannot use immunity as a defense. “President Trump is the leading candidate for President in the 2024 election,” Trump’s attorneys wrote in the application. The Best Cartoons on Donald Trump View All 292 Images“For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the judges wrote. The request for a stay precedes an expected appeal to the high court and was not a surprise. Until the Supreme Court acts on the request for a stay, the appellate judges will delay formally sending their decision, or “mandate,” to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the election interference trial.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Biden –, President Trump, Trump’s, Tanya Chutkan, Chutkan, eviscerated, Fred Wertheimer, ” Wertheimer, “ Organizations: “, U.S ., Appeals, Capitol, Donald Trump View, Trump, Democracy Locations: U.S, Colorado

Bill Murphy, an 80-year-old retired veterinarian in suburban Phoenix, sometimes blanks on names he could once summon with ease, so he has empathy for 81-year-old President Biden. But he winced when he watched Mr. Biden defend his mental sharpness at a news conference, only to mix up the presidents of Egypt and Mexico. Mr. Murphy, a Republican, believes Mr. Biden is not up to another term. “I look at him as a peer,” said Ms. Meyer, who plans to vote for Mr. Biden. The special counsel report cleared him of criminal charges in his handling of classified documents but described him as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

Persons: Bill Murphy, Biden, Murphy, Mr, Mary Meyer, forgetful, ”, Meyer, “ Organizations: Republican Locations: Phoenix, Egypt, Mexico

☆ How Biden’s Mishandling of Classified Papers Differs From Trump’s Criminal Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A special counsel’s conclusion that “no criminal charges are warranted” against President Biden for possessing classified material while he was out of office stands in contrast with another special counsel’s decision to bring criminal charges against former President Donald J. Trump for keeping classified documents after he left the White House. After the Justice Department released the final report of the special counsel in the Biden documents inquiry this week, Mr. Trump sought to portray the two matters as equivalent and declared that he was being treated differently for political reasons. “You know, look, if he’s not going to be charged, that’s up to them — but then I should not be charged,” Mr. Trump said at a campaign event in Harrisburg, Pa. “This is nothing more than selective persecution of Biden’s political opponent: me.”But despite their superficial similarity, the facts of the two cases are very different, as the report by the special counsel in the Biden inquiry — Robert K. Hur, a Republican whom Mr. Trump had previously appointed to two Justice Department positions — stressed. Here is a closer look.

Persons: Biden, Donald J, Trump, he’s, Mr, Robert K, Hur, — Organizations: Trump, White, Justice Department, Biden, Republican Locations: Harrisburg, Pa

Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesThe Biden campaign circulated talking points to allies that were obtained by The Associated Press. Biden aides say they do not expect the president or his campaign to take on the age question more directly. Messina compared the special counsel's report to former FBI Director James Comey's October 2016 announcement that he was further investigating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's handling of classified emails. Beyond celebrating the release of the special counsel's embarrassing descriptions of Biden, Trump won a new trove of delegates in Nevada's Thursday caucuses, where he ran unopposed. Barry Goodman, a Biden fundraiser from Michigan, said he’s had some donors “take a wait and see approach” about supporting Biden, even before the special counsel’s announcement.

Persons: Joe Biden's, couldn't, Biden, Robert Hur's, Beau, Hur, “, ” Sen, Brian Schatz, they’ve, Trump, MAGA, doesn’t, ”, —, Kamala Harris, LaJoia Broughton, can’t, Sleepy Joe, Kate Berner, “ Donald Trump, Jim Messina, Barack Obama’s, Messina, James Comey's, Hillary Clinton's, “ There’s, ” Messina, “ Trump, I’d, Trump's, Joe Biden, What’s, ” Donald Trump Jr, Barry Goodman, he’s, ” Goodman, Goodman, Trav Robertson, General Merrick Garland, “ Merrick Garland, ” Robertson, Biden's, gaffes, Nancy Pelosi, Nikki Haley, Biden didn't, Dan Goldman, Robert Garcia, Mike Johnson, ” Garcia, ” ___, Bill Barrow, Ayanna Alexander Organizations: WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's Democratic, Democrats, Capitol, “ Republicans, Trump, The Associated Press, Democratic, Biden, Clinton, South Carolina Democratic Party, Republican, ” ___ Peoples Locations: Hawaii, U.S, Florida, Washington, South Carolina, Columbia, Nevada's, Michigan, Mexico, Iran, Israel, New York, Atlanta

☆ Election 2024 Trump rolls in Nevada, Biden is roiled by a special counsel — and the race remains largely unchanged.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Chris Cameron | Michael Gold | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Even in a campaign in which Mr. Trump’s dominance has sapped the race of much of its drama, his win in Nevada felt particularly preordained. Embarrassingly for Ms. Haley, she was heavily outvoted in that election by a “None of These Candidates” option on the ballot. She was essentially unopposed, but even without Mr. Trump on the ballot, Republican voters rejected her. Ms. Haley still won the contest, but its results were effectively immaterial. Mr. McDonald also repeatedly pushed false claims of voter fraud that remain at the heart of Mr. Trump’s lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Nikki Haley, Embarrassingly, Haley, Trump’s, trouncing Ms, Haley’s, Biden, Max Whittaker, William E, ”, Susan Sevilleja, “, Michael J, McDonald, Biden’s, McDonald’s, Ron DeSantis, Kellen Browning Organizations: Nevada’s Republican, Associated Press, Nevada Republican Party, Republican Party, Republican, U.S . Virgin, Republicans, Democratic, Mar, The New York Times, Nevada Republicans, William, Orr Middle, White House, Mr, Trump, Gov Locations: Nevada’s, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Las Vegas

When President Biden appeared at a last-minute news conference on Thursday night, he hoped to assure the country of his mental acuity hours after a special counsel’s report had devastatingly referred to him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”Instead, a visibly angry Mr. Biden made the exact type of verbal flub that has kept Democrats so nervous for months, mistakenly referring to the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as the “president of Mexico” as he tried to address the latest developments in the war in Gaza. The special counsel’s report and the president’s evening performance placed Mr. Biden’s advanced age, the singularly uncomfortable subject looming over his re-election bid, back at the center of America’s political conversation. The 81-year-old president — already the oldest in the nation’s history — has for years fought the perception that he is a diminished figure. “My memory is fine,” he insisted on Thursday from the White House.

Persons: Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Biden’s, —, ” Locations: Egypt, Mexico, Gaza

Washington CNN —The White House on Friday did not rule out the possibility of releasing the transcript of President Joe Biden’s interviews with special counsel Robert Hur about his handling of classified documents, with the caveat that any classified information would have to be redacted. But pressed on whether Biden would support a release, Sams didn’t rule it out. Polling has shown that Biden’s age is the top concern from Democrat voters who otherwise support his policies. Those concerns have been amplified in the past week, as Biden has confused contemporary European leaders with leaders who ruled decades ago. He said that Hur told Biden he wanted him to “try to recall to the best of your abilities.”“That’s often what prosecutors would tell witnesses,” Sams said.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Robert Hur, Ian Sams, Biden, Sams, “, ”, Sams ’, Kamala Harris, –, ” Harris, Harris, Hur, ” Hur, ” Biden, ” Sams, ‘, ” “, Biden “ Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden, White Locations: Israel, “, willfulness

☆ Biden’s allies can’t agree on how to combat questions about his age and memory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

How damaging are all the renewed questions about age and mental acuity going to be? One Democratic member of the House responded to being told of the questions about age and memory raised in the report with a morbid laugh and sullen shake of the head. Inside the White House and among Biden’s reelection campaign staff, the tension is constant. Biden aides also feel themselves that this hasn’t been enough. Most importantly, they reflect what Biden aides have learned from experience: Nothing combats questions about the president’s competence as much as people seeing him in action.

Persons: Joe Biden, notecards, Biden, –, Donald Trump, couldn’t, he’s, Trump, ”, West, they’ve, Annie Kuster, “, ” Kuster, don’t, Kevin McCarthy –, Emanuel, Gabe Amo, Emmanuel Macron, François Mitterrand, Abdel Fattah el, ‘ Mitterrand, Dina Titus, “ Joe Biden, Jamie Raskin, Trump’s, Jean Caroll, Raskin, ” Biden, Biden’s, Kate Berner, Andrew Bates, “ Biden, ” Bates, Bates jabbed, Beau Biden, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Kevin Liptak Organizations: Virginia CNN, Democrats, CNN, Democratic, Trump, Washington, West Wing, New, Nevada Democrat, Senate, ” Maryland, “, White, Security, Republicans, Border Patrol Union, Biden, House Democrats Locations: Leesburg, Virginia, New Hampshire, Valley Forge, Charleston, Las Vegas, Rhode Island, Israel, Mexico, Egypt, Nevada, Wilmington , Delaware

☆ Fact check: Biden makes three false claims about his handling of classified information
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Where the classified material was storedBiden sought to contrast his handling of classified material with that of former President Donald Trump, who faces felony charges for willfully retaining classified documents. According to the special counsel, even classified documents Biden was storing elsewhere in his home were insufficiently secure. Hur wrote that Biden notebooks containing classified information from his vice presidency were found by investigators in “unlocked drawers in the office and basement den” of the home. The classification level of the documents Biden had in his possessionBiden claimed of the documents he possessed: “None of it was high classified. Biden shared information, including some classified information, from those notebooks with his ghostwriter.” He elaborated that Biden shared classified information with his ghostwriter by reading “nearly verbatim” from his notebooks “on at least three occasions,” including his “notes from meetings in the Situation Room.”Hur did find, however, that Biden “at times” tried to avoid sharing classified information, by stopping at or skipping over certain material from the notebooks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Robert Hur, Biden, Hur’s, Donald Trump, Hur, Trump, “, Ian Sams, ” Sams, CNN’s MJ Lee, ”, Sams, weren’t, Barack Obama, ” Hur, Obama, Mr, Mark Zwonitzer, Afghanistan –, CNN’s Nikki Carvajal Organizations: CNN, ”, White, National Security, SCI, Mr, FISA, Virginia, National Security Council Locations: Lago, Biden’s Delaware, Afghanistan, Virginia, United States, “, Iraq, Delaware

☆ Trump Calls His Classified Documents Case ‘Selective Persecution’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Michael Gold | Glenn Thrush | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Former President Donald J. Trump, who faces a criminal case accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents, blasted on Friday a special counsel’s decision not to charge President Biden for his handling of classified material, accusing prosecutors of an unfair double standard. “You know, look, if he’s not going to be charged, that’s up to them. But then I should not be charged,” Mr. Trump said at an event in Harrisburg, Pa. “This is nothing more than selective persecution of Biden’s political opponent: me.”Mr. Trump’s speech, at a forum hosted by the National Rifle Association, were his first public remarks on the matter since the special counsel, Robert K. Hur, released a report stating that, although Mr. Biden had “willfully” retained and disclosed classified material after his vice presidency had ended, no criminal charges were warranted. Mr. Trump said he had cooperated “with the very hostile and unfriendly feds” more than Mr. Biden, a claim unsupported by any evidence. Mr. Hur’s report said the president fully cooperated with his investigation, while Mr. Trump has been accused of misleading the government for months over the classified documents in his possession.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Biden, he’s, Mr, Robert K, Hur, “, ”, Hur’s Organizations: National Rifle Association Locations: Harrisburg, Pa

☆ The White House Went Into Damage-Control Mode
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

White House officials and prominent Democrats today attacked the special counsel’s report into President Biden’s handling of classified material by labeling it politically motivated. The comments were part of an effort to discredit a document that characterized the president as elderly and forgetful. Vice President Kamala Harris and multiple House Democrats depicted the report, which legally exonerated Biden, as more of a political attack than an unbiased legal document. A spokesman for the White House Counsel’s Office suggested that the special counsel, Robert Hur, violated Justice Department policy. The report cast Biden, 81, as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” with “diminished faculties in advancing age.” It placed his age — an uncomfortable subject looming over his re-election bid — back at the center of America’s political conversation.

Persons: Biden’s, Kamala Harris, Biden, Robert Hur, — Organizations: White, Democrats, Counsel’s, Department

CNN —In a fight over keeping the identity of witnesses protected in the criminal document mishandling case against Donald Trump, special counsel Jack Smith this week detailed myriad threats against prosecutors, judges and other witnesses. One threat against a witness has prompted a federal investigation, the special counsel’s office wrote in court filings. Possible witnesses against Trump are “routinely” being threatened in a way that could intimidate them from participating in the case, they added. Trump’s lawyers have sought to make public the witness names and related information in the case, since they have included them in court filings. “Their objective is plain—to delay trial as long as possible,” prosecutors wrote in a filing Thursday in the case.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jack Smith, Witnesses, ”, “, Aileen Cannon, Cannon, Trump, Walt Nauta, Carlos De Oliveira, ‘, Trump’s Organizations: CNN, Trump, FBI, Department, ”, National Archives, Records Administration, Department of Energy, ‘ Trump Locations: Florida, Mar

☆ Harris Calls Special Counsel Report on Biden ‘Clearly Politically Motivated’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Zolan Kanno-Youngs | More About Zolan Kanno-Youngs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Vice President Kamala Harris pushed back forcefully on Friday against a special counsel report that questioned President Biden’s memory, describing it as “politically motivated.”“The way the president’s demeanor in that report was characterized could not be more wrong on the facts and clearly politically motivated,” Ms. Harris said in response to questions from reporters at the White House. She also said Mr. Biden had sat down for in-person interviews with the special counsel’s office just a day after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. “It was an intense moment for the commander in chief of the United States of America,” Ms. Harris said. “He was in front of it all, coordinating and directing leaders who are in charge of America’s national security.”

Persons: Kamala Harris, ”, Ms, Harris, Biden, “ Organizations: White Locations: Israel, United States of America

☆ Democrats Suffer a Comey Flashback
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Adam Nagourney | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For veterans of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign for president, yesterday brought back painful memories. The special counsel’s report on the handling of classified documents by President Biden instantly recalled how James Comey, then the F.B.I. director, concluded his investigation of Clinton for her handling of classified documents when she was secretary of state. Robert Hur, the special prosecutor in Biden’s case, cleared him of criminal wrongdoing in his handling of classified documents while he was vice president. In 2016, Comey likewise recommended that no criminal charges be filed against Clinton for using her private email server to handle official correspondence as secretary of state.

Persons: Hillary Clinton’s, Biden, James Comey, Clinton, ‘, ’ ”, Nick Merrill, Robert Hur, Comey

☆ Release of Hur Report Underlines Perils of the Special Counsel’s Job
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Glenn Thrush | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The man Mr. Garland tapped for the job, Robert K. Hur, has not been quite as cautious. On Thursday, Mr. Hur, 50, a former Justice Department official in the Trump administration, dropped a 345-page political bomb into the middle of the 2024 campaign, the final report summing up his investigation. The Hur report underlines the challenges of deploying special counsels, which are intended to shield prosecutors from political meddling, but often result in the release of negative information about high-profile targets who have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing. It also showed the complicated balance of the job — navigating a polarized environment that leaves little option but to expansively explain the rationale for any decision. Mr. Hur is no stranger to high-wire investigations and legal conflict.

Persons: General Merrick B, Garland, Biden’s, Robert K, Hur, Trump, Biden, Donald J, Mr, Rod J, Rosenstein —, Rosenstein, Robert S, Mueller III Organizations: Justice Department Locations: Russia

☆ Biden erupts over special counsel’s report as aides look to short-circuit campaign risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Biden’s aides know there is no topic more likely to draw their boss’ fury than a slight against his family. Only about 45 minutes before Hur’s report was released publicly, the White House was working to downplay the verbal slip-ups, saying it’s common for people to misspeak. “Many people, elected officials … they can misspeak sometimes,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, citing recent examples from House Speaker Mike Johnson and TV host Sean Hannity. The report was released anyway, with the objections of Biden’s lawyers included – but only toward the end of the nearly 400-page report. “I was in the middle of handling an international crisis,” Biden said Thursday about an hour after the report was released.

Persons: Robert Hur’s, Joe Biden, Biden’s, Biden, ” Biden seethed, Hur, fumed, hasn’t, Daniel Goldman, ” Goldman, “, ” Biden, ”, Hur –, Donald Trump’s, forgetful, I’ve, –, CNN’s MJ Lee, Bidenworld, Helmut Kohl, Francois Mitterrand, …, Karine Jean, Pierre, Mike Johnson, Sean Hannity, she’s, Beau Biden’s, Hurt, Biden “, Beau, Israel – Organizations: Washington CNN, House, Democratic, Trump Justice Department, White, CNN, Biden, Republicans, Trump Locations: New York, Gaza, Mexico, Egypt, Israel

☆ Special Counsel’s Report Puts Biden’s Age and Memory in the Spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

[Reporter] “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.” “I’m well meaning, and I’m an elderly man, and I know what the hell I’m doing. I’ve been president, and I put this country back on its feet. That’s totally –” [Reporter] “How bad is your memory, and can you continue as president?” “My memory is so bad I let you speak. That’s –” [Reporter] “Do you know if your memory has gotten worse, Mr. President?” “My memory is not – My memory is fine. My memory – Take a look at what I’ve done since I’ve become president.

Persons: Biden, “, I’ve, That’s, ”

☆ Special counsel feeds frenzy over Biden’s age
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

An independent special counsel poured kerosene on concerns about Joe Biden’s age with pointed language about the president’s poor memory after concluding Biden had willfully mishandled classified documents – and that his failing memory makes him impossible to convict. ► He appears poised for a win at the Supreme Court. Feeding the frenzy about Biden’s ageIn concluding Biden should not be prosecuted, Special Counsel Robert Hur, a former Trump-appointed US Attorney in Maryland, offered a political indictment of the president’s fitness. Still, larger Trump-related questions loom for the Supreme Court, such as whether Trump enjoys absolute immunity from prosecution. Trump attorney Jonathan Mitchell speaks before the Supreme Court on February 8.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, Biden, ” Biden, Trump, Nikki Haley’s, It’s, Robert Hur, Hur, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, “, ’, Beau, ”, Richard Sauber, Bob Bauer, Jamie Raskin, ” Raskin, CNN’s Wolf, General Merrick Garland, Biden’s, Lago, Hur’s, Barack Obama, Obama, –, Joe Biden's, Trump’s, Haley, Jonathan Mitchell, Bill Hennessy Trump’s Organizations: CNN, White House, Republican, Supreme, Trump, Oval, ”, Biden, Maryland Democrat, Democratic, House Democrats, National Archives, Mar, Department of Justice, Virgin Islands, South Locations: Nevada, Colorado, Maryland, Carolina, Virginia, Biden’s Delaware, Florida, Afghanistan, Joe Biden's Delaware, Virgin, South Carolina, Washington ,

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