Biden files lawsuit in bid to block DOJ audio interview release

Rebecca Falconer

Joe Biden at a podium giving a speech, blue backdrop with BIDEN logos, American flag on the left, wearing a dark suit and striped tie, gesturing with his hands. — Former President Biden in Columbia, South Carolina, in February. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Former President Biden is suing the U.S. Department of Justice in an attempt to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of private conversations with ‌his biographer.

Why it matters: The recordings from 2016 and 2017 formed a key part of special counsel Robert Hur's investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents.

The big picture: Biden denies sharing classified information, but Hur concluded that the former president read classified notebook excerpts to ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer.

Hur concluded that Biden's memory lapses during the special prosecutor's interview with him would make it harder to prove he acted willfully.

Driving the news: The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., comes as the DOJ plans a June 15 release of redacted transcripts and audio recordings to Congress and the Heritage Foundation, which sued for the material under the Freedom of Information Act.

Representatives for Biden and the DOJ did not immediately respond to Axios' Tuesday-evening request for comment.

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Biden files lawsuit in bid to block DOJ audio interview release

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