Biden Seeks to Keep Hur Investigation Recordings Private

Former US President Joe Biden has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Justice to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of private conversations with his biographer, recorded in 2016 and 2017.

The legal challenge comes ahead of the planned transfer of the materials to the House Judiciary Committee and the conservative Heritage Foundation.

The recordings formed part of special counsel Robert Hur’s 2023 investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. Hur ultimately declined to bring criminal charges against the former president.

According to the lawsuit, the Department of Justice initially rejected the Heritage Foundation’s request for the materials under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Biden’s legal team argues that the situation changed after Donald Trump returned to office.

Biden is asking the court to invalidate the congressional request and prevent the release of the recordings and transcripts.

His spokesman, TJ Ducklo, said the former president had cooperated with investigators on the understanding that the recordings would remain private.

“What's happening now isn't about transparency. It's about politics”, Ducklo said.

The recordings were made at Biden’s home while he was preparing Promise Me, Dad, his 2017 memoir about his son Beau Biden’s illness and his deliberations over a presidential campaign.

(reuters, bak)