Biden delivers last-minute statement after release of special counsel reportReuters
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00:00 Let me say a few things before I take your questions.
00:05 As you know, the special counsel released his findings today about their look into my
00:10 handling of classified documents.
00:14 I was pleased to see he reached a firm conclusion that no charges should be brought against
00:20 me in this case.
00:22 This was an exhaustive investigation going back more than 40 years, even into the 1970s
00:29 when I was still a new United States senator.
00:32 The special counsel acknowledged I cooperated completely.
00:35 I did not throw up any roadblocks.
00:37 I sought no delays.
00:39 In fact, I was so determined to give the special counsel what he needed, I went forward with
00:43 a five-hour in-person interview over two days on October 8th and 9th of last year, even
00:51 though Israel had just been attacked by Hamas on the 7th and I was very occupied.
00:55 I was in the middle of handling an international crisis.
00:59 I was especially pleased to see special counsel make clear the stark distinction and difference
01:05 between this case and Mr. Trump's case.
01:09 Special counsel wrote, and I quote, "Several material distinctions between Mr. Trump's
01:13 case and Mr. Biden's are clear," continuing to quote, "Most notably, after giving multiple
01:18 chances to return classified documents to avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did
01:24 the opposite.
01:25 According to the indictment, he not only refused to return the documents for many months, he
01:30 also obstructed justice by enlisting others to destroy evidence and then to lie about
01:35 it.
01:36 In contrast, we want to say Mr. Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives
01:42 and the Department of Justice, consented to the search of multiple locations, including
01:45 his home, sat for a voluntary interview, and in other ways cooperated with the investigation."
01:51 End of quote.
01:52 I've seen the headlines since the report was released about my willful retention of documents.
01:58 These assertions are not only misleading, they're just plain wrong.
02:03 On page 215, if you had a chance, I know it's a long -- it's a thick document.
02:07 On page 215, the report of the special counsel found the exact opposite.
02:11 Here's what he wrote.
02:13 There is in fact a shortage of evidence that I willfully retain classified materials related
02:18 to Afghanistan.
02:20 On page 12, the special counsel also wrote, "For in other documents, the decision to decline
02:26 criminal charges was straightforward.
02:28 The evidence suggests that Mr. Biden did not willfully retain these documents."
02:33 The evidence said I did not willfully retain these documents.
02:36 In addition, I know there's some attention paid to some language in the report about
02:41 my recollection of events.
02:43 There's even reference that I don't remember when my son died.
02:50 How in the hell dare he raise that?
02:52 Frankly, when I was asked the question, I thought to myself, it wasn't any of their
02:56 damn business.
02:57 Let me tell you something.
02:58 Some of you have commented, I wear, since the day he died, every single day, the rosary
03:05 he got from Our Lady of --
03:11 Every Memorial Day, we hold a service remembering him, attending by friends and family and the
03:15 people who loved him.
03:17 I don't need anyone.
03:18 I don't need anyone to remind me when he passed away or passed away.
03:25 Simple truth is I sat for a five-hour interview over two days of events, going back 40 years.
03:30 At the same time I was managing an international crisis, their task was to make a decision
03:36 about whether to move forward with charges in this case.
03:39 That's their decision to make.
03:41 That's the council's decision to make.
03:43 That's his job.
03:44 And they decided not to move forward.
03:47 For any extraneous commentary, they don't know what they're talking about.
03:52 It has no place in this report.
03:54 The bottom line is the matter is now closed.
03:57 I'm going to continue what I've always focused on, my job of being President of the United
04:01 States of America.