Jim Jordan Opens Hur Hearing By Playing Clip of Peter Doocy Challenging Biden on His Memory
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) opened Tuesday’s hearing with Special Counsel Robert Hur by playing a clip from President Joe Biden’s press conference reacting to the release of Hur’s report in early February.
Jordan claimed that Hur’s report showed Biden “broke the law,” but concluded he would not charge him because “he’s a forgetful old man who would appear sympathetic to a jury.” Hur’s lengthy report goes into great detail regarding each incident of Biden retaining classified documents and offers a case-by-case explanation for why Biden’s conduct did not reach the level of criminal activity.
“Mr. Hur chose not to bring charges. Mr. Hur, we think it’s important that you be able to respond to President Biden’s response to your report. So we’re going to play a short video of Mr. Biden’s, President Biden’s press conference after your report was released, because there’s things in this press conference that thepresident of the United States says that are directly contradicted by what you found in your report. So if we can play that video,” Jordan said before playing the clip, which kicked off with Fox News’s Peter Doocy asking the first question.
“Let me say a few things before I take questions. As you know, the special committee released its findings today about their look into my handling of classified documents,” the clip starts with Biden saying, before cutting to Doocy:
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?
Biden shot back, “I’m well-meaning. 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. I don’t need his recommendation. It’s totally out…”
Doocy interjected, “How bad is your memory. And can you continue as president?”
“My memory is so bad, I let you speak,” Biden hit back.
The clip goes on for several more minutes showing Biden sparring with the press.
“The American people have been watching and they have expressed concerns about your age,” added another reporter.
“That is your judgment. That is your judgment!” Biden replied forcefully.
The reporter hit back, “They expressed concerns about your mental acuity. They say that you are too old. Mr. president, in December you told me that you believe there are many other Democrats who could defeat Donald Trump. So why does it have to be you now? What is your answer?”
“I’m the most qualified person in this country to be press the United States and finish the job I started,” replied Biden.
At the end of the presser Biden walks away but returns for a final question on the situation in Israel and Gaza. He discusses his conversations with the president of Egypt to allow more aid into Gaza, but makes a gaffe and says “Mexico” instead of Egypt.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-Y)), the committee’s ranking member, is recognized to speak after the clip wraps.
“Mr. chairman, I’m glad you have such information, such admiration for the president that you allowed him to take the first ten minutes of this hearing,” Nadler quipped.
Watch the full clip above via CNN.
