In response to criticism from White House officials and others, Attorney General Merrick Garland has defended the language used by special counsel Robert Hur in his report on President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents. The report describes the president's memory as "significantly limited" based on interviews conducted by Hur's office and a ghostwriter who worked on Biden's memoirs.

During a news conference on Thursday, Garland addressed the criticism and stated that no one from the White House had expressed their concerns to him directly. He highlighted President Biden's commitment to restoring independence and integrity to the Justice Department, emphasizing that his role is to serve as the lawyer for the American people, not the president.

When questioned about the appropriateness of the language used by Hur regarding the president's mental state, Garland reaffirmed his dedication to transparency. He stated that making reports from special counsels public is consistent with regulations and precedents, as they are required to fully disclose the rationale behind their decisions.

Garland firmly pushed back against the notion that an attorney general should interfere with or alter the language used in a special counsel's report. He deemed such actions as "absurd," emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the special counsel's explanation for their decisions.

Special counsel Robert Hur has faced criticism from the White House and Democrats following his report last month on President Biden's handling of classified documents. Hur chose not to prosecute the president but warned that Biden's practices in storing such documents "present serious risks to national security." Additionally, Hur noted that during interviews with investigators, the president presented himself as an elderly man with a poor memory.

The characterization of Biden's mental fitness quickly became a point of contention, with Republicans seizing on Hur's descriptions. In response, President Biden vehemently defended himself, asserting that his memory is functioning well.

As this debate continues, the focus remains on the independence and transparency of the Justice Department and the special counsel's process. The scrutiny of President Biden's handling of classified information underscores the importance of national security measures and adherence to established protocols.