Democrats slam ‘cheap trash’ about Biden’s memory as Republicans say he’s a ‘security risk’

Democratic senators vociferously defended President Joe Biden after a report by a special counsel hinted that the 81-year-old president had a declining memory — while Republicans called it a security risk.

The report by Robert Hur — former Donald Trump appointee and ex-Maryland US Attorney — concluded the President will not face charges for “willfully” holding onto documents after he left office as Barack Obama’s vice president in January 2017. The report stated that the materials included files on military policy in Afghanistan and handwritten notes on national security.

The report suggested that a potential jury may perceive Mr Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” Mr Hur also alleged that Mr Biden could neither recall the year his son died nor the years of his vice presidency.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania criticised the report and the fact it came from a Republican former US attorney.

“It’s actually not true,” Mr Fetterman told The Independent. “It was just cheap trash there and it was a hit from a Trump appointee.”

Mr Fetterman said the report did not change the fact that the 2024 presidential election would be the same choice between former president Trump and Mr Biden.

“And we have our files, he has his files, it’s all going to not change – that’s going to be a very stark choice for America in ‘24,” he said.

When the report dropped on Thursday, both White House Counsel Mr Biden’s personal counsel criticised aspects of the report, particularly the passages alleging Mr Biden has a failing memory. In a Thursday evening press conference, Mr Biden hit back at the Republican prosecutor’s claims about his memory.

But in an unfortunate gaffe during that same press conference, Mr Biden mixed