Garland Defends Biden's Fitness, Citing Confidence in His Cognition Despite Memo's Foggy Memory Concerns

Attorney General Merrick Garland defended President Biden's cognitive fitness and said Biden "has no impairment" mentally, despite special counsel Robert Hur citing Biden's foggy memory as a reason not to prosecute him over classified documents.

Garland said he has "complete confidence" in Biden's mental acuity and his ability to expertly guide policy discussions. He scolded Republicans for questioning Biden's fitness.

Hur's report cites Biden's "limited precision and recall" during interviews as a reason jurors may doubt he "willfully" retained classified documents. Hur said Biden may present himself as a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

House Republicans want tapes of Biden's interviews with Hur and conversations with his ghostwriter to assess his confusion, but Garland argues releasing them would violate Justice Department norms.

Biden's mental fitness is a top issue ahead of his likely 2024 rematch against Trump, with polls showing more voters view Biden as too old versus Trump.