'Didn't behave criminally': Trump fact-checked over claim Joe Biden was 'exonerated' in docs probe for being 'incompetent' to stand trial

In an interview with Dr Phil, Donald Trump argued Joe Biden had also faced a classified documents case investigation but was 'totally exonerated'
UPDATED JUN 8, 2024
Donald Trump argued Joe Biden was 'exonerated' after classified documents investigation (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images, Getty Images)
Donald Trump argued Joe Biden was 'exonerated' after classified documents investigation (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Donald Trump criticized his successor Joe Biden for being "incompetent to stand trial," in the classified documents probe, according to Fox News.

In a recent interview with Dr Phil, the 45th president weighed upon his multiple legal battles, mentioning the classified documents case against him in Florida, which the judge postponed indefinitely.

Trump argued President Biden had also faced a classified documents case investigation but was "totally exonerated."

An investigation by former special counsel Robert Hur found that Biden illegally retained classified materials after his vice presidency in 2017.

However, the 81-year-old was not pressed with any charges, unlike Trump, who faces 40 felony counts for possessing classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after leaving the White House in January 2021.

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort where he reside
Donald Trump illegally retained classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after his presidency (Getty Images)

An FBI raid at the luxury residence in August 2022 found boxes of materials related to national security, leading to a federal indictment against Trump.

Donald Trump says Joe Biden was 'exonerated' for keeping classified docs

"This was all stuff that under the Presidential Records Act I'm allowed to do. By the way, Biden was totally exonerated," Trump said in the interview with Dr Phil, which was released on Thursday, June 6.

"Now, I'm not sure I want that kind of an exoneration. They basically said he's incompetent to stand trial, but he could be president. Think of that. He's not sharp enough, got no memory, got no this, got know that he's incompetent," he continued.



 

"Basically, they're saying he can't stand trial due to incompetence, but he can run for president. What's going on? What are we missing here?" Trump, the first former president to become a convicted felon after his guilty verdict in the New York hush-money case, added with a smirk.

Special counsel Hur said in his report that Biden possessed classified materials from his service as a longtime senator and vice president for two terms from 2009 to 2017. But he did not press any charges and declined to prosecute the president, citing the octagenarian was an "elderly man with a poor memory."

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 26: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about his racial equity agenda in the S
Special Counsel report claimed President Joe Biden had 'poor memory' (Getty Images)

Hur's report said that the 81-year-old's "memory was worse," and he had no remembrance of the period of his vice presidency or when his elder son Beau Biden died.

In addition, the report released in February claimed the evidence against the incumbent "does not establish Mr. Biden's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

GREENBELT, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 21: U.S. Attorney Robert Hur (C) speaks to the media about Christophe
Robert Hur did not press charges against Joe Biden in the classified documents probe (Getty Images)

The report raised serious concerns about Biden's memory and cognitive ability amidst his re-election bid for a second term. Many questioned whether the incumbent, who is already the oldest one to be in the Oval Office, could efficiently carry out the presidential duties for one more term.

Internet gives a fact check to Donald Trump's claims

Netizens disagreed with Trump's claims about Biden being exonerated and his inability to stand trial, pointing out that the president had returned the documents, unlike him.

One user pointed out in the Fox News comment section, "That's not 'basically' what was said. Biden was not exonerated at all. It was decided that a case against him would not be successful. One of the reasons for that was how Biden cooperated fully (in fact INITIATED) the return of documents."

Another remarked, "Seems weird to have to keep pointing this out, but, after they were discovered, Biden gave the files back. President Trump tried to hide them."

"1) Biden wasn't totally exonerated. He wasn't prosecuted because he cooperated with the recovery of classified documents in his possession, instead of lying about having done so and claiming he has the right to keep them. 2) As for Hur's assessment, it's just one Trump lackey's opinion. And when was the last time somebody wasn't charged because he was a well-meaning elderly man? 3 ) While Biden may or may not be slipping behind the scenes, Wolfsuhn doesn't seem troubled by the fact that Trump is constantly slipping in front of the scenes. 4) It's pretty hilarious to see the guy who couldn't stay awake at his own trial claiming that Biden is too incompetent to stand trial," added a user.

Another response read, "Biden turned over the documents. Trump did not. I like presidents who comply with the law."

One person said, "Biden wasn’t charged as he cooperated. Trump lied and hid the documents. He was not charged for having the documents, but for keeping them. So Biden wouldn’t have been indicted regardless."

Someone else wrote on X, "President Biden doesn’t have to stand trial because he’s not a criminal like convicted felon Donald Trump is."

"President Biden didn't behave CRIMINALLY like trump did so he doesn't deserve to stand trial. Had trump been respectful of America, he would've simply returned AMERICA'S Documents. Instead, he lied about them, hid them, spoke of destroying them & showed them to unauthorized ppl," an individual argued.



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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