CBS NEWS
Former special counsel Robert Hur, who led the investigation into President Biden’s handling of classified documents, is testifying Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee about his probe and subsequent report that ultimately vindicated the president but included some highly critical conclusions.
Last month, Hur issued his report, which found that no criminal charges were warranted in the documents probe. But he noted the inquiry uncovered evidence “that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency,” although the evidence did not establish the facts beyond all reasonable doubt. And the report included damaging assertions about the 81-year-old president’s memory that the White House has vehemently refuted.
But the transcript of Hur’s interview with Mr. Biden last October, reviewed by CBS News, provides a fuller picture of the five-hour conversation between the two and context around some of the statements that appeared in the report. It reflects a professional, polite and occasionally humorous mood in the room. While the president did stumble over some dates and facts, he recalled many others clearly.
Hur, whose testimony marks the first time he’s addressed the public since the report’s release, is expected to be grilled by both sides of the aisle on Tuesday. The former U.S. attorney and top Justice Department official under the Trump administration was appointed special counsel in the case by Attorney General Merrick Garland. His employment with the Justice Department has ended since the report has been filed.
