Biden docs hearing: Hur defends not charging president, but says he wasn't exonerated

Ex-special counsel Robert Hur testified before the House Judiciary Committee.

ByLucien Bruggeman, Alexander Mallin, Will Steakin, and Katherine Faulders
Last Updated: March 12, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT

Robert Hur, who as special counsel conducted the yearlong probe into President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents that ultimately absolved the president of legal culpability, faced questions Tuesday from members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Hur, who was previously nominated by then-President Donald Trump as U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland, wrote in his 388-page report published last month that he would not recommend charges against President Biden despite uncovering evidence that Biden "willfully retained" classified materials.

In the course of explaining his rationale for that conclusion, Hur said that a potential jury would likely find Biden to be a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

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Mar 12, 2024, 9:23 AM EDT

Hur scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. ET

Former special counsel Robert Hur is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m. ET.

Republicans on the committee summoned him to testify in a public setting to examine the findings of his yearlong probe. The panel also subpoenaed the Justice Department for recordings, transcripts, notes, and other documents pertinent to the investigation.

Hur's report said investigators searching Biden's home found documents marked classified from as far back as the 1970s -- but that he would not recommend charges against the president, saying the "evidence does not establish Mr. Biden's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."