Former US President Joe Biden's audio tapes, recorded in 2016 and 2017, have been released, showcasing his struggles with memory and handling of classified documents. The tapes, obtained by the Justice Department during its probe into Biden's handling of sensitive information, were shared by Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee.

Background on the Investigation

The investigation, led by former Special Counsel Robert Hur, looked into Biden's handling of classified documents from 2023 to 2024, when he was Vice President and a US Senator. The probe found that Biden had kept volumes of notes at his home, some of which were classified, but he was not criminally charged due to his "poor memory" and "diminished faculties in advancing age."

The audio tapes, which include conversations between Biden and his ghostwriter Marc Zwonitzer, reveal the former President's difficulties in recalling details and stringing together complete sentences. In one instance, Biden muttered quietly and struggled to respond to a question about his discussions with Kevin McCarthy, before launching into a lengthy diatribe about energy infrastructure.

Release of the Audio Tapes

The release of the audio tapes comes after a public disclosure legal battle between the conservative Heritage Foundation and the Department of Justice. The tapes were initially meant to remain private, but Judge Florence Pan, a Biden-appointed judge, argued that the former President had shown "substantial" interest in keeping the files private. However, Judges Gregory Katsas and Sri Srinivasan ruled against the motion to keep the files hidden.

The release of the audio tapes has sparked controversy and raised questions about Biden's mental acuity and ability to handle sensitive information. The tapes were cited in a 2024 special counsel's report, which included pictures of documents recovered from Biden's home and office. Biden's legal team has argued that the tapes were meant to remain private, but the public interest in the documents has overridden those concerns.

What's Next

The release of the audio tapes is likely to have implications for Biden's upcoming memoir, "Promise Me, America," which is expected to be published later this year. The former President's handling of classified documents and his mental acuity are likely to remain topics of discussion in the coming weeks and months. As the investigation continues, readers can expect further updates on the handling of sensitive information and the potential consequences for Biden and his team.

  • The audio tapes include roughly 70 hours of recordings
  • The tapes were recorded in 2016 and 2017, when Biden was Vice President
  • The investigation found that Biden kept volumes of notes at his home, some of which were classified
  • Biden was not criminally charged due to his "poor memory" and "diminished faculties in advancing age"

The situation continues to unfold, with Biden's legal team potentially appealing the decision to release the audio tapes. As more information becomes available, it is likely that the public's understanding of the situation will evolve, and the implications for Biden and his team will become clearer.