The Department of Justice’s refusal to release audio tapes of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur has ignited a political firestorm, with new interest sparked by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s recent comments suggesting the recordings might become public.
At a Glance
- DOJ refuses to release audio files of Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur despite Republican demands
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted at potential release of the recordings during a recent press briefing
- Biden’s interview transcript revealed numerous memory lapses, including confusion about his son’s death and Trump’s election date
- Republicans threaten to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over the withheld recordings
- DOJ argues releasing audio recordings raises privacy concerns and could deter future witness cooperation
Battle Intensifies Over Hur Interview Recordings
The Department of Justice has firmly rejected House Republicans’ requests for the audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, setting the stage for a potential constitutional showdown. In a strongly worded letter, DOJ Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte argued that congressional Republicans have failed to establish a legitimate legislative purpose for demanding the recordings and suggested the request may be politically motivated rather than substantive.
The DOJ’s refusal comes as Republicans threaten to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress if the recordings aren’t produced. Justice Department officials maintain that they have already provided transcripts of the interviews, which should satisfy congressional oversight needs, while protecting sensitive investigative materials and witness privacy.
White House Opens Door to Potential Release
Adding fuel to the controversy, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently suggested the administration might consider releasing the Hur interview tapes. When questioned directly by Reagan Reese from the Daily Caller about whether the White House would release the recordings, Leavitt responded that she would “double check” on the matter, noting that “Americans would be quite interested” in hearing them.
The interview in question took place during Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents found at his home, garage, and office. While Hur ultimately decided against pursuing legal action, his report described Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” language that ignited significant public debate about the President’s cognitive capacity.
Transcripts Reveal Troubling Memory Issues
The already-released transcript of the five-hour interview has drawn considerable attention for documenting numerous instances where President Biden appeared confused about basic facts and timelines. According to the transcript, Biden frequently misremembered dates, countries, and significant events from his time as Vice President and during his presidential term.
Notable errors included Biden incorrectly stating that Donald Trump was elected in November 2017 rather than 2016, and confusion about when his son Beau died, suggesting it happened in 2017 or 2018 when Beau actually passed away in 2015. The transcript shows Biden’s legal team frequently had to intervene during the interview to assist him when he struggled to recall important dates and events.
Privacy Concerns and Legal Principles at Stake
DOJ officials have emphasized broader concerns about releasing audio recordings beyond this specific case. In his letter to congressional Republicans, Uriarte highlighted that audio files can be manipulated in ways written transcripts cannot, raising privacy concerns and potentially deterring future witnesses from cooperating with investigations. The Justice Department has accused Republicans of “seeking conflict for conflict’s sake” rather than pursuing legitimate oversight objectives.
Meanwhile, House Oversight Chair James Comer continues to maintain that these documents are crucial to his investigation into President Biden, though the DOJ notes Comer has not yet reviewed classified materials the department has already made available. This ongoing dispute adds another layer to the already stalled Republican impeachment inquiry, which currently lacks both the votes and evidence needed to move forward with formal impeachment proceedings.
