WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick Garland was out of sight – but not out of mind – Friday as the White House attacked his special counsel, Robert Hur, for releasing a report that brutally characterized President Biden as mentally deranged.
Garland, a former federal judge and failed Supreme Court nominee, praised Hur’s “long and distinguished career” in selecting him on Jan. 12 to investigate Biden’s retention of classified documents, and released Hur’s nearly 400-page report in full — without additional spin, such as done by the previous administration to blunt the findings of the special counsel.
Vice President Kamala Harris led the charge, calling Hur “politically motivated” — while White House counsel’s office spokesman Ian Sams said Hur had violated Justice Department “norms and policies” with his assessment of Biden’s cognitive ability.
Merrick Garland was nowhere to be seen Friday as the White House attacked his handpicked special counsel Robert Hur. AFP via Getty Images
“The inappropriate comments in the report are troubling and they are inappropriate,” Sams said at a regular White House briefing.
“You have a situation where a former Justice Department official is talking about the political ramifications of his actions and it is the responsibility of prosecutors to be careful to follow the department’s policy of not criticizing unprosecuted conduct and behavior, characteristics that we have. seen in this case.”
Sams pointed out that Republican claims of double standards favoring Democrats, citing the ongoing prosecution of former President Donald Trump for alleged mishandling of documents, may have prompted Hur to write that Biden, 81, was confused during the interview and likely acquitted by a jury in the trial. reason is considered senile.
“There’s an environment that we’re in that creates a ton of pressure because you have congressional Republicans, other Republicans, attacking prosecutors that they don’t like — and it creates a need if you’re going to determine that the charges aren’t filed,” Sams said.
The special counsel is investigating President Biden’s handling of classified documents. Julia Nikhinson – Pool via CNP / MEGA
“People are human and they’re thinking, you know, ‘What should we do?’ And, you know, it makes one wonder why he put so much criticism in there.”
Hur served as US attorney for Maryland from 2018 to 2021 under former President Donald Trump, although the state’s two Democratic senators supported his appointment. Hur is also a close friend of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was frequently attacked by Trump during his tenure.
Sams pointed reporters to a letter issued by the White House counsel’s office regarding the Hur report that cited “the norms and policies of the Department of Justice that they see as being violated by some of the comments and statements made in the report.”
Sams brushed aside questions about Garland’s role in the saga when CNN reporter MJ Lee asked: “What does it say about Merrick Garland’s judgment that he appointed someone who ended up issuing a report that was so appalling, so inappropriate and in violation of DOJ rules and norms?”
Garland, a former federal judge and failed Supreme Court nominee, praised Hur’s “long and distinguished career” when selecting him on Jan. 12. via REUTERS
“I think the president actually answered this question last night,” Sams replied, adding that the president had “spoken about his views on the appointment of a special prosecutor and I don’t have anything other than what he said.”
Biden said during his fiery Thursday night press appearance that he had supported the appointment of a special counsel, but disagreed with Hur’s assessment of his mental fitness because “my memory is fine.”
Garland’s disappearance comes as Republicans are also targeting her for facilitating a pair of indictments against Trump, 77, by special counsel Jack Smith while letting Biden go without charge.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) tweeted that Garland must choose between impeaching Biden or invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.
Biden said during his fiery press appearance Thursday night that he initially supported the appointment of a special counsel, but disagreed with Hur’s assessment of his mental fitness. AFP via Getty Images
“Merrick Garland has an obligation to invoke the 25th Amendment to his Cabinet colleagues. Or so Biden claims. If he won’t prosecute, then call it the 25th now,” Hawley wrote.
Garland’s decision in August to appoint another special counsel, Delaware US Attorney David Weiss, to prosecute first-born Hunter Biden on tax and gun charges — after Hunter left a plea deal only on probation in July — previously strained his relationship with the White House. .
The attorney general elevated Weiss after an IRS whistleblower accused the AG of lying to himself by misrepresenting Weiss’ ability to prosecute Hunter Biden outside of Delaware. Biden-appointed US attorneys in Los Angeles and Washington later confirmed they refused to cooperate with Weiss.
The special counsel’s investigation has paralleled House Republicans’ multi-party impeachment inquiry focused on Biden’s involvement in many of his son’s and brother’s lucrative foreign business ties during and shortly after his vice presidency — as well as allegations the Justice Department shielded Joe and Hunter Biden from investigation.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
