In a significant boost to his 2024 campaign, former President Donald Trump has been handed a political advantage. An independent special counsel has intensified concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and memory, concluding that Biden had deliberately mishandled classified documents. The counsel further stated that Biden’s memory issues make him impossible to convict.
Biden, on the defensive, held an impromptu White House press conference, asserting, “My memory is fine.”
Trump’s Unbeaten Streak Continues
Trump’s campaign continues to gain momentum, with victories in the Nevada and US Virgin Island caucuses. This winning streak has left Nikki Haley’s campaign feeling futile, further solidifying Trump’s path to the Republican nomination.
Supreme Court Skepticism
Trump also appears to be on the verge of a Supreme Court win. Justices expressed serious doubts that Colorado could label him an insurrectionist and exclude him from their election ballots. This series of events has left Trump feeling confident about his political future.
Special Counsel’s Report Fuels Debate on Biden’s Fitness
Special Counsel Robert Hur, a former Trump-appointed US Attorney in Maryland, described Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory” that would make him impossible to prosecute. This unusual assessment in a justice department document has sparked a frenzy among Biden’s opponents and will likely linger in public consciousness.
Republican leaders were quick to seize on the special counsel’s description of Biden, arguing that a man incapable of being held accountable for mishandling classified information is unfit for the Oval Office.
Biden’s Response
In response, Biden highlighted his cooperation with the special counsel probe and expressed satisfaction with the outcome, arguing the matter is now closed. However, questions about his age and memory are likely to persist, especially with Republicans ready to capitalize on any misstep or verbal mistake.
Trump’s Potential Exploits
Trump has sought to draw a false equivalence between his own standoff with the government over classified material and what was found in Biden’s Delaware garage and den. He is also likely to point to the decision not to prosecute Biden as evidence of a double standard in the justice system.
Trump’s Unbeaten Streak in Primaries
Trump remains undefeated and in total command of the primary race after wins in Nevada and the US Virgin Islands. His chief rival, Haley, was not even an option for caucus-goers in Nevada, confirming her fading relevance in the race.
Supreme Court Case: A Ray of Hope for Trump
While his victory in the Supreme Court is not as assured as his success in the Nevada caucuses, Trump must be pleased with the current outlook. Even liberal justices expressed skepticism that Colorado should be able to declare the former president an insurrectionist and disqualify him from the state’s ballot.
However, larger Trump-related questions loom for the Supreme Court, such as whether Trump enjoys absolute immunity from prosecution. His lawyers have until Monday to ask the Supreme Court to review a DC appeals court ruling that he does not have super immunity and can be prosecuted for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election.