Newly released recordings from former President Joe Biden’s interviews with his memoir ghostwriter have been made public as part of special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into classified documents. Biden’s legal team attempted for months to prevent the release but recently stopped their efforts, allowing the recordings to be shared.
The lawsuit by Mike Howell, associated with the Oversight Project, sought these recordings through Freedom of Information Act requests. Howell argued that the public deserved to examine the materials that influenced Hur’s conclusions.
“Joe Biden didn’t want these tapes to come out. But now they have — after two years of painful delay.” — Jeff Clark, Oversight Project
The released content includes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes of recordings from conversations in 2016 and 2017 with ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer. During these talks, Biden, who was then the former vice president, showed signs of memory difficulties and took long pauses, which were noted in Hur’s report.
Special Counsel Hur investigated Biden’s management of classified documents from his vice presidential tenure in the Obama administration and earlier congressional service. Although prosecutors found no sufficient evidence of unlawful intent, they noted Biden’s frequent memory lapses.
The recordings document moments where Biden advised caution about classified material, though he was uncertain if specific information was officially marked. In April 2017, Biden had trouble recalling names of economic advisors, expressing regret about his forgetfulness.
One recording highlights Biden’s difficulty recalling a specific memorial service date and the individual’s name being commemorated. Such instances led Hur to describe Biden as struggling with memory issues, which could appeal to a jury as characteristics of a sympathetic elderly man.
Ashley J. DiMella provided additional coverage for Fox News Digital on political matters.