Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recused herself from the investigation into President Joe Biden's mishandling of classified documents amid debates over Biden’s cognitive abilities and a special counsel's decision not to prosecute.

It has emerged that Monaco, a key figure in the Biden Department of Justice, stepped down from the probe last year, and the move came at a critical time as discussions about Biden’s fitness for office have intensified amid his recent withdrawal from his re-election bid, as Newsmax reports.

President Biden faced former President Donald Trump in a presidential debate on June 27, and his performance raised concerns about his cognitive state and possibly steep recent decline.

This incident has since fueled discussions within the Democratic Party about Biden's capability to continue his reelection campaign.

Special Counsel's Findings and Internal Reactions

Robert Hur, the special counsel at issue, concluded an investigation into Biden earlier this year by noting his undeniable mishandling of documents.

However, he decided not to pursue charges against Biden, describing him as a "well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory."

Following the report's release, internal reactions were mixed. Some leading Democrats argued that Biden should reconsider his plans for a second term in light of these revelations and his debate performance.

Though the reason for her subsequent recusal from involvement was not made explicit, sources suggested that Monaco told insiders that she would have handled the documents probe differently.

She communicated her differing approach to the White House chief of staff’s office, though that is a claim the office has since denied.

Controversies and Further Implications of Monaco’s Recusal

While Monaco's recusal was announced, the specifics of her decision remain undisclosed, sparking further speculation about the motivations behind her actions.

The Department of Justice has refrained from commenting on this matter, adhering to its policy of maintaining confidentiality in such cases.

"The department does not comment on internal deliberations and it would not be appropriate to discuss any recusals here," stated a DOJ spokesperson.

Amidst these controversies, Monaco’s spokesperson has firmly stated that she has never discussed the investigation with the White House, and her recusal was a professional decision unrelated to any disagreements over major legal strategies with the Attorney General.

Monaco's Potential Future and Historical Precedents

Lisa Monaco is considered a potential candidate for the attorney general position should Vice President Kamala Harris ascend to the presidency.

Her current actions and past decisions play a crucial role in shaping her public and professional image.

Prior to her involvement in the Biden investigation, Monaco faced calls for recusal from deliberations concerning a matter involving Boeing.

This situation was due to her personal and financial connections to the company, which recently agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud charges related to the 737 MAX crashes.

The American Economic Liberties Project and other advocacy groups had previously highlighted the need for Monaco’s recusal in matters where her impartiality might be compromised, underscoring the complexity of her roles in various high-stakes legal matters.