Biden Sues DOJ to Block Release of Audio From Classified Documents Probe

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) in an effort to stop the release of audio recordings and transcripts tied to Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. The legal action was submitted Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., ahead of the DOJ’s planned June 15 disclosure of the materials to the House Judiciary Committee and the conservative Heritage Foundation.

The recordings reportedly capture private conversations between Biden and his biographer during 2016 and 2017. They were created while Biden worked on his memoir, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose, which focused on his family’s struggles during his son Beau Biden’s battle with brain cancer and his eventual decision to seek the presidency.

The Heritage Foundation previously requested access to the recordings through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request after the materials became part of Robert Hur’s 2023 classified documents investigation. Although Hur chose not to pursue criminal charges against Biden, the investigation drew national attention due to concerns surrounding sensitive government records.

According to the lawsuit, the Justice Department had originally argued that the requested records were exempt from FOIA disclosure. However, Biden claims the department changed its position after President Donald Trump returned to office. The lawsuit further argues that the House Judiciary Committee’s request is merely a legal workaround designed to bypass federal privacy protections and secure the release of the recordings.

Biden is asking the court to declare the congressional request invalid and permanently prevent the DOJ from handing over the audio files and transcripts. Representatives for the Justice Department have not publicly commented on the lawsuit.

Earlier this month, Biden attempted to intervene in the Heritage Foundation’s ongoing case against the DOJ. A judge later allowed him to join the lawsuit but limited the scope of his claims regarding the congressional request for the records.