Get the Facts: Debunking misinformation on classified documents cases and the TikTok ban
Misinformation has been circulating about two classified document cases involving former President Donald Trump and President Biden, as well as a proposed TikTok ban.
"He's not competent to stand trial, but he's allowed to be the president. Figure that one," said Trump in Georgia. This claim, suggesting that the Special Counsel investigating President Biden for retaining classified documents found Biden unfit to stand trial, is false.
Special prosecutor Robert Hur did mention Biden's memory in his final report. He described him as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."
However, Hur concluded that the evidence could not establish "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers questioned Hur about his report. Misrepresentations of the report's findings were made, including by Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler.
"The Hur report represents the complete and total exoneration of President Biden," Nadler claimed. This statement is not accurate, according to Hur and the report itself.
The report repeatedly states that Biden "willfully retained and disclosed classified materials." Despite this, Hur determined that the evidence would not lead to a conviction.
In other news, social media posts have been circulating, claiming that Congress banned TikTok this week. One post, flagged by Facebook, added that users had six months left with the app. Both claims are false, at least for now.
The House did pass a bill that would ban any new downloads or updates of the app in the U.S. after 180 days unless TikTok is sold by its China-based parent company. However, this is far from a done deal.
The bill would only become law if the Senate passes it and the president signs it. Only then would the six-month countdown begin.