Newly Released Biden Audio Recordings Renew Debate Over Classified Documents Controversy
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Newly released audio recordings from former President Joe Biden’s interview sessions with his ghostwriter have reignited debate over his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving the vice presidency.
The recordings, which were reviewed by CBS News, were part of a larger collection of approximately 70 hours of audio connected to special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified materials.
The tapes show Biden discussing potentially classified information with writer Mark Zwonitzer while working on his 2017 memoir, Promise Me, Dad.
Audio Appears to Show Biden Warning Ghostwriter About Classified Material
In one recording, Biden appears to caution Zwonitzer that some of the information being discussed could be classified.
“Some of this may be classified … So, be careful. I’m not sure … It’s not marked classified but —”
In another section of the recordings, Biden again appears to reference classified material.
“The next thing I have here is, um, this is classified …”
The conversations occurred after Biden left the vice presidency and before he began his 2020 presidential campaign.
No classified information was reported to have appeared in the final published version of the memoir.
Recordings Renew Questions Over Biden Classified Documents Investigation
The release of the audio has renewed criticism from conservatives who have argued that Biden was treated differently than former President Donald Trump during separate classified documents investigations.
The controversy began after classified documents from Biden’s time as vice president were discovered at locations including his Delaware home and private office.
Hur was appointed to investigate whether Biden illegally retained or shared classified information.
Although Hur did not recommend criminal charges, his report drew attention for its discussion of Biden’s memory and mental condition.
Robert Hur Report Raised Concerns About Biden’s Memory
Hur’s report described Biden as showing signs of memory struggles during interviews, including difficulty recalling certain events.
The special counsel wrote that Biden displayed “diminished faculties” and described some conversations as “painfully slow.”
The newly released recordings include moments where Biden appears to lose his train of thought.
At one point, Biden says:
“Alright — what was I going to ask you? Something else… Uh… um. Oh gosh. I can’t think of anything else.”
Biden Team Previously Denied Sharing Classified Information
At the time Hur’s report was released, Biden strongly denied that he shared classified information with Zwonitzer.
“I did not share classified information. I did not share it with my ghostwriter,” Biden said.
He also said he was unaware of how classified documents ended up stored at his Delaware residence.
However, the newly released recordings include discussions about meetings and documents that Biden described as potentially sensitive.
Biden Discussed Sensitive Meetings and Notes in Recordings
The recordings reportedly include Biden describing high-level government meetings, including discussions involving:
- The CIA
- The Situation Room
- Defense Department briefings
- Meetings involving the president and national security officials
In an October 2016 recording, Biden told Zwonitzer he had extensive personal notes that White House officials did not know about.
“I have extensive notes over this period of time… They didn’t know I have this,” Biden said.
In another recording from February 2017, Biden said:
“I just found all the classified stuff downstairs.”
Hur referenced that statement in his report as evidence that Biden possessed classified materials after leaving office.
Hur Said Biden’s Conduct Would Be Difficult to Prosecute
Although Hur identified instances where Biden appeared to retain classified information, he concluded that prosecutors would face significant challenges securing a conviction.
Hur said jurors might view Biden as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”
The report stated that Biden’s recorded conversations showed him struggling to remember details and relying heavily on notes.
Hur also cited an example where Biden allegedly showed Zwonitzer classified notes from a National Security Council meeting during the Obama administration.
Some Recordings Show Biden Exercising Caution
Not every recording showed Biden openly discussing sensitive information.
In November 2016, while still serving as vice president, Biden reportedly referred specifically to the “non-classified part” of a discussion involving President Barack Obama.
That moment has been cited as evidence that Biden was aware of distinctions between classified and non-classified information.
Court Battle Leads to Release of Biden Audio Files
The recordings were released following a legal battle involving the conservative nonprofit Oversight Project.
The organization sought access to materials used in Hur’s report through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Biden’s legal team initially fought the release, but after multiple court decisions, they stopped pursuing further challenges.
The Oversight Project said the release represented a major victory in its effort to obtain government records.
Biden Spokesman Condemns Release of Private Conversations
Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo criticized the decision to release the recordings.
Ducklo argued that the conversations were private discussions connected to Biden’s memoir and were provided to the Justice Department under the expectation that they would remain confidential.
He accused the administration of using the Justice Department for political purposes while saying Biden respected the role of the courts.
Classified Documents Debate Highlights Trump and Biden Comparisons
The release has again fueled comparisons between Biden’s classified documents investigation and the case involving Trump’s handling of government materials.
Biden previously criticized Trump after classified documents were discovered at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
Trump was later charged by a special counsel, though that case was eventually dismissed.
Hur argued that there were “several material distinctions” between the two investigations, including allegations that Trump obstructed government efforts to recover documents.
Biden’s Age and Mental Fitness Became Major Political Issues
The recordings have also revived broader questions about Biden’s age and cognitive ability, issues that followed him throughout his presidency.
The White House repeatedly rejected claims that Biden was unable to perform his duties.
However, public concern increased after his June 2024 debate performance against Trump, where Biden appeared hesitant and struggled to respond effectively.
The performance contributed to the collapse of his reelection campaign and ultimately his decision to leave the race.
Memoir Deal and Future Book Plans Draw More Attention
Biden received an estimated $8 million advance for Promise Me, Dad, the memoir connected to the recordings.
He is also planning another book, Promise Me, America, focused on his presidency, his 2024 campaign, and his decision to end his reelection bid.
The newly released recordings have intensified scrutiny because they provide direct audio of Biden discussing sensitive material rather than relying only on summaries or official statements.
Audio Release Adds New Chapter to Biden Documents Controversy
The recordings are likely to keep the classified documents debate alive as political opponents argue over whether Biden received different treatment compared with Trump.
Supporters of Biden continue to point to Hur’s decision not to recommend charges and argue that the cases involved different circumstances.
Critics say the audio raises new questions about Biden’s handling of sensitive information and the accuracy of previous public explanations.
The recordings now provide a firsthand look at conversations that were previously known only through investigative reports and summaries.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
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