US releases ex-president's interview with special counsel on classified documents

In a recent article, Axios describes a five-hour audio recording of a conversation between US ex-President Joe Biden and special counsel Robert Hur, discussing the case of the improper handling of classified documents. 

Newly released audio from October 2023 interviews with Biden reveals him struggling with memory lapses, raising questions about his mental sharpness. The five-hour interview with Hur highlights Biden’s difficulty recalling key details, including when his son passed away, when he left office as vice president, and when Donald Trump was elected.

The recordings, which span two three-hour sessions on October 8 and 9, capture long pauses and Biden’s slurred words. In several moments, his attorneys intervene to help him recall facts, such as the year his son Beau died (2015) and when Trump was first elected (2016). The somber tone of Biden’s voice is further underscored by the ticking of a grandfather clock in the White House Map Room, where the interviews took place.

This audio corroborates special counsel Hur’s assessment that jurors would likely see Biden as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” Hur’s decision not to pursue charges against Biden over the improper possession of classified documents was partly based on this perspective, sparking criticism from Republicans who were upset that Trump faced charges for similar issues.

Biden’s defenders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have rejected Hur’s comments, arguing that they were politically motivated. The newly released audio, however, paints a more complex picture, showing Hur and his co-counsel maintaining a respectful and cordial tone throughout the interviews.

By Naila Huseynova