Nonilex

#Hur tells #Congress his report “did not exonerate” #Biden

#Republicans & #Democrats are condemning fmr *special* counsel #RobertHur for his report that declines to charge #POTUS for mishandling classified materials. During the Congressional hearing, Dems have so far focused on Hur’s decision to include disparaging details about Biden.

“You made a choice. It was a #political choice. It was the wrong choice,” said Rep Adam Schiff

#law
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/12/robert-hur-testimony-biden-classified-documents/

Live updates: Hur tells Congress his report ‘did not exonerate’ Biden

The hearing marks the first time former prosecutor Robert Hur is addressing the public since issuing his report on why he would not seek to charge President Biden for alleged mishandling of classified documents.

The Washington Post
Mar 12, 2024 at 4:40pmWeb
Show threadNonilexMar 12, 2024

In one of the toughest exchanges at the hearing so far, Rep Adam Schiff excoriated fmr special counsel #RobertHur for issuing a “deeply #prejudicial” report that hurt President #Biden’s #political standing by suggesting his mental faculties were failing.

“You were not born yesterday, you understood exactly what you were doing,” Schiff said. “You cannot tell me you’re so naive to think your words would not have created a political firestorm.”

#law #Republicans

Show threadNonilexMar 12, 2024

“What I understood is the regulations” #Hur referred to #DOJ policy that says special counsel reports should be #confidential to the AG. But AG #MerrickGarland had made clear BEFOREHAND he would release much of Hur’s report.

“You must have understood the impact of your words” Schiff said & accused Hur of injecting “your own personal #prejudicial #subjective opinion of the president, one you knew would be amplified by his #political opponent. You had to understand that & you did it anyway”

#law

Show threadNonilexMar 12, 2024
#RobertHur said that AG #MerrickGarland did not interfere w/his investigation or attempt to modify his report.
Rep Joe #Neguse asked #Hur a series of yes/no questions about whether #Garland —or any #DOJ ofcls— attempted to impede the investigation.

The appointment of a #SpecialCounsel is intended to make high-profile, sensitive investigations as #independent & #apolitical as possible. A SC has more independence from DOJ ldrs than other fed prosecutors, but still ultimately answers to the #USAG.
Show threadNonilexMar 12, 2024

“Attorney General #Garland did not interfere w/my efforts, & I was able to conduct a *fair*, thorough & independent investigation,” #Hur said.

#Neguse was attempting to draw a distinction between how Garland acted in regard to the Hur investigation & how AG #BillBarr acted when special counsel Robert #Mueller completed his investigation & report examining #Trump & #ForeignInterference in the 2016 #election results.

#law #politics #Republicans #HouseRepublicans

Show threadNonilexMar 12, 2024

#Barr wrote a 4-pg memo to #Congress describing the principal conclusions of the investigation into #Trump that #Mueller later complained “did not fully capture the context, nature, & substance” of the special counsel team’s work.

“Very different approach as you said from the way in which the Department of #Justice, unfortunately, tragically functioned under [Trump],” #Neguse said.

#Hur #law #DOJ #Republicans #HouseRepublicans