The Biden administration is under fire after the Department of Justice refused to release audio of the president’s interview with Special Counsel Hur—just as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt teased its possible public release.
At a Glance
- DOJ denies GOP request for Biden-Hur interview audio
- Republicans threaten contempt action over refusal
- DOJ cites privacy and manipulation risks
- Leavitt suggests tapes could be released
- Biden stumbled during key parts of his interview
DOJ Refuses to Release Biden-Hur Audio
The Department of Justice is rejecting Republican demands for audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. While transcripts have been provided, the Justice Department argues that releasing the full recordings poses privacy risks and could lead to selective editing or manipulation.
Carlos Uriarte, Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, wrote to congressional leaders warning that the demand lacked legitimate legislative purpose and could undermine witness cooperation in future investigations.
Watch CBS News’ full report on the DOJ’s refusal and GOP threats.
Leavitt Teases Potential Release
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stirred controversy by hinting that the Biden-Hur interview audio could still be made public. Her comment—that Americans “would be quite interested” in the tapes—was interpreted by some as a challenge to the Justice Department’s decision.
Leavitt’s statement came just days after Republican lawmakers renewed their push for the tapes, insisting that hearing Biden’s tone and delivery is essential for evaluating his cognitive performance.
Biden’s Memory Lapses Fuel Debate
Transcripts from the interview revealed that Biden forgot when his son Beau died and appeared confused about the year of Donald Trump’s election. He also needed frequent reminders from legal counsel during questioning. These lapses were cited by Special Counsel Hur in his decision not to pursue criminal charges, noting Biden’s memory as a significant factor in assessing intent.
Hur’s report echoed legal reasoning used in past high-profile cases, such as the DOJ’s decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton over her handling of classified emails.
Republicans Escalate Pressure on DOJ
Republicans are now threatening contempt proceedings against the Justice Department for its refusal to release the audio. With Merrick Garland no longer serving as Attorney General—having stepped down in January 2025—the department is now led by Acting Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who inherited the standoff.
Assistant AG Uriarte defended the department’s stance, stating, “The Committees have demanded information you know we have principled reasons to protect, and then accused us of obstruction for upholding those principles.”
Despite the DOJ’s position, pressure continues to build—both in Congress and in the public sphere—as the Biden interview tapes become the focal point of a broader clash over transparency and presidential accountability.
Watch CBS News’ breakdown of the DOJ standoff and Leavitt’s cryptic tape tease.
