In a significant political development, Axios released audio recordings of a key interview between then-President Joe Biden and former special counsel Robert Hur regarding a closed investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. This audio, made public on a Friday, marks a notable point in a controversial inquiry that ultimately concluded with no charges being filed against Biden for criminal mishandling of documents from his vice presidency. In his final report, Hur described Biden, then 81 years old, as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” a characterization that has sparked debate and discussion.
While the transcripts of the interview became public last year, this audio represents the first auditory evidence from the session. An official with the Department of Justice has confirmed the authenticity of the tapes, solidifying their role in the ongoing discussions surrounding Biden’s mental acuity and overall fitness for office. Kelly Scully, a spokesperson for Biden, responded to the release by asserting that the audio merely confirms what has already been disclosed through the transcripts published over a year ago.
The timing of this release coincides with renewed scrutiny regarding Biden’s physical and mental capabilities. A forthcoming book titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, details signs of Biden’s decline during his presidency, adding fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding his capability to govern effectively.
The interviews, which took place over five hours in the fall of 2023, included significant moments where Biden expressed uncertainty and appeared to struggle with recollection. One particularly striking excerpt, lasting approximately four and a half minutes, reveals Biden grappling with questions about where he stored classified materials from his time as vice president. The president hesitated and stated, “I don’t know,” before veering off-topic into discussions about external encouragement he received regarding a presidential run in 2016. Furthermore, during another moment, he struggled to recall the date of his son Beau’s passing, requiring confirmation from his staff, raising further questions about his cognitive state.
In one interaction, Biden queried, “What month did Beau die?” followed by a prolonged pause before answering, “Oh, God, May 30th…” Here, aides interjected to remind him of the year, affirming that it was indeed “2015.” Such moments have raised eyebrows and heightened concerns about the implications of Biden’s memory lapses in the public domain.
On the contrary, during a separate segment of the audio, when asked about retaining a memo related to Afghanistan, Biden’s initial response was uncertain, stating, “I don’t know that I knew.” However, when pressed, he conceded he may have held onto it “just for posterity’s sake.” The back-and-forth between Biden and his aides illustrates the challenges his administration faces amid ongoing investigations and public concerns regarding his governance.
The investigation led by Hur concluded in February of the previous year, leading to a decision not to press charges, despite Hur’s remarks indicating that Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials.” This conclusion was politically damaging, particularly given Hur’s characterization of the president, which Biden and his allies have fiercely contested. They deemed Hur’s claims, particularly about Biden not recalling the date of Beau’s death, as inaccurate and unfair.
Amidst an ongoing impeachment inquiry by House Republicans, there have been efforts to obtain the audio and transcripts of the interview with Biden. Although Congress received a transcript thanks to the Justice Department, Biden invoked executive privilege over the audio recordings. The Republican response included an unsuccessful contempt charge against then-Attorney General Merrick Garland for failing to yield the recordings, highlighting the contentious environment surrounding political accountability.
Ex-President Donald Trump commented on the matter, suggesting that Attorney General Pam Bondi should determine the audio’s release. He remarked on Biden’s mental state, contrasting it with other individuals of advanced age he knew, who he perceived as being “perfect,” implying a stark difference in Biden’s condition that he believes has been obscured.
This renewed scrutiny is further complicated by potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential election facing questions regarding their awareness of Biden’s condition. As the Democratic Party seeks to navigate the implications of the upcoming election cycle, an urgent call for a more unified stance against Trump is evident.
Biden’s team has rebuffed the claims made in the forthcoming book, asserting that there are no indications of significant obstacles he faced in making presidential decisions or safeguarding national security. Biden defended his leadership during a recent interview on ABC’s “The View,” rejecting assertions of substantial cognitive decline, emphasizing, “They are wrong. There is nothing to sustain that.”
The political landscape remains dynamic, with revelations from the audio interviews and the impending book weaving a complex narrative regarding Biden’s presidency and mental fitness as debates intensify leading into the 2024 elections. This ongoing saga will undoubtedly shape public perceptions and legislative actions, indicating an intersection of personal and political accountability.