The Justice Department has been subpoenaed by House Republicans for recordings and transcripts of Special Counsel Hur’s interview with President Joe Biden, during which he referred to him as a ‘elderly man’ with ‘diminished faculties.’
The three Republican committee chairs spearheading the investigation into Joe Biden’s alleged involvement in his family’s questionable business dealings followed through on their promise to issue subpoenas for the material after the deadline passed on February 19.
With the deadline now behind them, the Republicans are ramping up their efforts on the eve of their impeachment deposition featuring star witness Hunter Biden.
There are concerns that Biden may have kept sensitive documents related to specific countries involving his family’s foreign business dealings.
The inquiry focused on whether Biden’s legal team imposed any restrictions on statements that could have directly connected the president to questionable foreign payments.
Hur is scheduled to give testimony at a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee on March 12 and respond to additional inquiries.
The documents they are seeking pertain to the phone call between then-Vice President Biden and Ukraine’s prime minister in December 2015.
It has been claimed that the phone call took place when Biden allegedly requested the dismissal of the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating Burisma, a company where Hunter served on the board.
Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents reveals numerous instances of Biden’s forgetfulness, such as a moment where he seemed to not remember when his son Beau passed away.
Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, along with Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting the transcript and any recording of an interview with Biden that occurred on October 8 and October 9, 2023.
Investigations have been conducted into whether Biden mishandled classified documents concerning his family’s business affairs.
The DOJ denied their requests for documents to safeguard the integrity of Special Counsel Hur’s investigation, which has since concluded.
The Republicans are now questioning whether Biden kept sensitive documents related to specific countries regarding his family’s foreign business dealings.
The statement mentioned a desire to investigate if any limitations or restrictions were placed during the interview that could have prevented certain questions about evidence.
Comer, Jordan, and Smith are requesting transcripts, audio and video recordings, and any other documents pertaining to Biden’s special counsel interview.
Republicans Question DOJ’s Handling of Biden Documents
An investigation concluded earlier this month that ‘no criminal charges are warranted in this matter’ of Biden’s document handling, and Republicans are now seeking the interview to investigate whether there is a double standard in the DOJ’s approach to Biden’s and Trump’s mishandling of secret documents.
Hur’s mention of the president as a ‘well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory’ in his report caused a political uproar, leading to an intense press conference by the president on Thursday night.
Hur claimed that Biden’s mental faculties had declined and even suggested that he had trouble remembering his time as vice president.
Republicans seized on the material, arguing it demonstrates Biden’s inability to lead the nation.