FLASHBACK: Biden shrugs of Hur report when pressed by Peter Doocy: ‘I know what the hell I’m doing’

Former President Joe Biden faced renewed scrutiny over his mental acuity last year following the release of audio recordings from his interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur. The recordings, conducted in October 2023, highlighted Biden’s struggles with memory lapses, slurred speech, and difficulty recalling key details such as the year his son Beau passed away and when he left office as vice president.

In February 2024, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy questioned Biden about Hur’s report during a press conference. Doocy referenced Hur’s description of Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” and asked Biden about the extent of his memory issues and his ability to continue serving as president. Biden, visibly defensive, asserted that he knew what he was doing and dismissed concerns about his memory.

Hur, appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Biden’s handling of classified documents, ultimately chose not to bring charges against him. Hur cited Biden’s poor memory as a key factor in his decision, describing him as a sympathetic figure despite acknowledging that Biden had obtained classified documents willfully during his time as vice president and senator.

The release of Hur’s report and the subsequent audio recordings added to existing concerns about Biden’s mental fitness, particularly in light of public gaffes and lapses seen during his appearances. Republicans seized on these issues to question Biden’s ability to lead the country effectively.

Despite initial pushback from Democrats and the White House, calls for Biden to step down intensified during his re-election campaign in 2024. Critics pointed to his performance in debates and his age as reasons for him to withdraw from the race. Biden ultimately ended his campaign in July, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to take the lead. However, Harris was defeated by former President Donald Trump in the general election later that year.

The controversy surrounding Biden’s mental acuity underscores the challenges faced by aging political leaders in high-pressure roles. As the debate continues, the focus remains on the importance of mental sharpness and cognitive abilities in leadership positions.