Former US President Joe Biden has filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department to prevent the release of transcripts and audio recordings from interviews conducted as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in federal court in Washington DC, argues that disclosure would violate his privacy rights.
The recordings involve conversations from 2016 and 2017 with author Mark Zwonitzer, who helped Biden write two memoirs. These materials were obtained by Special Counsel Robert Hur, who investigated allegations that Biden improperly retained classified documents after his vice presidency. Hur's 2024 report concluded there was no criminal wrongdoing but described Biden as 'a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,' a characterization that contributed to Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
Biden's legal team contends that the Justice Department has a responsibility to protect private information obtained through a criminal investigation. The lawsuit seeks to block the department from handing over the materials to the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee and the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
The case has drawn comparisons to the separate investigation into Donald Trump, who was charged with mishandling classified documents. That case was dismissed by a judge appointed by Trump. Biden's attorneys emphasize his cooperation with investigators, contrasting it with Trump's alleged refusal to return documents.
The Justice Department previously fought to keep the transcripts and recordings secret, but the Republican-led House voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt for refusing to release the audio. Biden has asserted executive privilege to shield the materials from Congress.
