The White House has decided not to release the audio from President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel about his handling of classified documents. They argue that Republicans in Congress want to use the recordings for political reasons.
The issue over the audio recordings is part of a larger Republican effort to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Republicans believe this move will help them hinder President Biden’s reelection campaign as the election approaches.
White House Counsel’s Response
Ed Siskel, White House counsel, sent a strong letter to House Republicans. He said there is no real need for the recordings and accused Republicans of wanting to chop them up and use them out of context for political attacks. Siskel emphasized that demanding such sensitive materials from the Executive Branch for political purposes is inappropriate.
Attorney General Merrick Garland advised President Biden in a letter that the audio recordings are protected under executive privilege. This means they are kept confidential to allow the president to get candid advice from his advisers. Garland told reporters that the request for these recordings is part of a series of unfounded attacks on the Justice Department.
ALSO READ: “President Biden Challenges Trump to Two Debates: ‘I Hear You’re Free on Wednesdays’”
Concerns about Future Investigations
Garland also mentioned that releasing the recordings could harm the integrity of future law enforcement investigations. The Justice Department warned that a contempt effort would lead to unnecessary conflict.
Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte noted that officials who assert the president’s claim of executive privilege cannot be held in contempt of Congress.
The situation comes after comments from special counsel Robert Hur about President Biden’s age and mental sharpness. Biden’s aides are worried about how embarrassing moments from the interview could be used against him. At 81 years old, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history and is running for another term.
Special counsel Robert Hur, who was appointed in January 2023, found classified documents in several locations connected to Biden. These included the Penn Biden Center in Washington, parts of Biden’s Delaware home, and his Senate papers at the University of Delaware.
Many documents were kept by mistake, but some evidence suggested willful retention and disclosure of certain records at Biden’s Wilmington home.
Documents from the Obama Era
The documents included records from a troop surge in Afghanistan during the Obama administration, which Biden opposed. Biden kept records that documented his position, including a classified letter to Obama. Some information was shared with a ghostwriter for Biden’s memoirs published in 2007 and 2017.
The White House’s refusal to release the interview audio has intensified the political battle between Republicans and Democrats. As the election nears, both sides continue to clash over the handling and implications of classified documents found in President Biden’s possession.
Comments