Audio Recordings Show Biden Discussing Classified Info
Usagevpn.com – Audio recordings appear to show former President Joe Biden discussing classified information with his memoir ghostwriter during interviews conducted before his 2020 presidential campaign. The Oversight Project released approximately three hours of audio and 117 pages of transcripts after Biden failed to keep the conversations confidential. Mark Lewis Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter, recorded these sessions while Biden was preparing his memoir. The conservative organization connected to the Heritage Foundation initiated legal proceedings to make the materials public.
Key Moments in the Recordings
One notable exchange from October 2016 captured Biden referencing sensitive foreign policy matters while still serving as vice president. He told Zwonitzer:
“They didn’t even know I had this.”
Another conversation from 2017, recorded after Biden left the White House but before launching his presidential bid, shows him discussing classified documents from his vice presidential tenure.
In that segment, Biden explained:
“I just found all the classified stuff downstairs. I wrote the President a handwritten 40-page memorandum arguing against deploying additional troops to Iraq – I mean, to Afghanistan on the grounds that it wouldn’t matter, that the day we left would be like the day before we arrived.”
These recordings occasionally reveal Biden struggling to recall specific details from his time in office.
Legal Background and Classification
Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded in 2024 that Biden would not face criminal charges regarding classified information handling. The Oversight Project filed legal action to access the recordings after Hur’s decision. Throughout the investigation, Biden cooperated fully and maintained he did not intentionally mishandle any classified materials. The Justice Department ultimately determined there was substantial public interest in releasing the materials.
A split federal appeals court ruled in favor of publication, balancing privacy concerns against public access rights. The recordings have been partially redacted in both audio and transcript formats to protect sensitive content. Hur noted that a jury would likely view Biden sympathetically given his age and what he described as a “poor memory.”
Conflicting Views on the Release
Jeff Clark, Vice President of Litigation at the Oversight Project, argued the recordings demonstrate cognitive concerns. He stated:
“The tapes have always belonged to the American People, the Oversight Project just delivered them to their rightful owner. The knowledge of his deterioration was well-established.”
Biden’s team criticized the publication as politically motivated.
TJ Ducklo, a Biden spokesperson, explained:
“President Biden’s conversations for a book a decade ago that discussed his late son are private, and were provided to the Department of Justice on the express condition they stay that way. Reversing course and making them public is just the latest example of this Administration weaponizing the DOJ for political retribution.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is contained in the audio recordings? The recordings feature Biden discussing classified foreign policy matters, military deployment decisions, and personal reflections from his vice presidential years. Some conversations also touch on his late son.
Why did the Oversight Project release these recordings? The organization filed legal action after Special Counsel Hur decided not to charge Biden. They argued the public had a substantial interest in accessing materials related to a former president’s handling of classified information.
Will Biden face any legal consequences? No. Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded in 2024 that Biden would not face criminal charges regarding his handling of classified information during and after his presidency.
How many recordings were released? The Oversight Project published approximately three hours of audio recordings along with 117 pages of partially redacted transcripts.
These recordings offer valuable insight into Biden’s recollections of his public service years. They also highlight ongoing debates about government transparency and the appropriate handling of classified documents by former officials. The Oversight Project’s successful legal campaign may set important precedents for future administrations.
