MSNBC host and former Biden press secretary, Jen Psaki, along with Biden attorney Bob Bauer, strongly criticized special counsel Robert Hur’s report on President Joe Biden’s handling of sensitive documents. While the report did not bring any charges against the president, it contained damaging critiques of Biden and his memory.
On the Monday edition of MSNBC’s “Inside With Jen Psaki,” Psaki and Bauer discussed what they perceived as problematic aspects of Hur’s report, particularly the “insinuations” made. Bauer emphasized that he would not question Hur’s “mental acuity” based on any errors made during the interview with Biden.
Psaki raised the question of whether Hur should be “investigated,” expressing concerns about the report going beyond normal investigative norms. She pointed out that the judiciary’s public perception might not view such actions positively.
Bauer responded by highlighting the unusual length of the investigation, which ran for 15 months when it could have concluded much sooner. He argued that there were never any questions about the president engaging in criminal wrongdoing, as Biden had self-reported and cooperated fully by turning over the documents upon discovery.
Bauer criticized the special counsel for including “irrelevant, unfounded, and often pejorative commentary” in the report, which he believed contradicted department norms. He stressed that special counsels are bound by the norms and policies of the department, just like any other prosecutor, and that Hur failed to comply with these standards.
When asked if the attorney general could have done more, Bauer refrained from commenting on anyone other than the special counsel and focused on addressing the performance of the special counsel in the report. He explained that he got involved after the president expressed understanding and did not find fault with the attorney general’s decision to appoint a special counsel.
In conclusion, Psaki thanked Bauer for joining the discussion, acknowledging that he had taught a long class before the interview. Bauer expressed his pleasure and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the conversation.
