Biden Sues to Prevent Release of Interview Transcripts

Former President Joe Biden has taken legal action against the Justice Department. He aims to stop the release of audio recordings and transcripts from interviews he gave to a ghostwriter. These files were obtained by a special counsel investigating his handling of classified documents.

Biden’s legal team argued in a Washington federal court that releasing these files would violate his privacy. The Justice Department plans to share them with Congress and the Heritage Foundation. Biden’s lawyers claim this share constitutes an invasion of privacy. The recordings in question involve interviews conducted in 2016 and 2017 with Mark Zwonitzer, who assisted Biden on his memoirs.

Special counsel Robert Hur reviewed these records during a probe into Biden’s handling of classified files from his time as a senator and vice president. Hur’s investigation concluded with a report criticizing Biden’s age and mental competence yet suggested no criminal charges, citing lack of evidence for prosecution. Biden has been challenging the release of these audio records as well.

The issue also reached Congress in 2024 when Attorney General Merrick Garland faced contempt charges for refusing to release the audio. These recordings were protected by executive privilege. Despite this, transcripts from five hours of interviews with federal prosecutors were made public the same year. Biden had claimed he managed classified material with seriousness, though the transcripts revealed some uncertainty regarding dates and document details.

Republicans argue Biden is receiving preferential treatment from his own Justice Department whereas Trump faced harsh prosecution. Democrats highlight Biden’s cooperative stance in the investigation, drawing a contrast with Trump’s case involving classified documents at his Florida property.