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Biden tapes released after legal battle, with references to classified material

From CBS News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Approximately 70 hours of audio recordings from Joe Biden's interviews for his memoir have been released after a legal battle.
  • The recordings, made while Biden worked with his ghostwriter, include references to classified information.
  • Special counsel Robert Hur's report cited these recordings in his investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, though no charges were recommended.

Audio recordings of former President Joe Biden discussing his time as vice president, made during the writing of his 2017 memoir "Promise Me, Dad," have been released. The roughly 70 hours of audio were fought for years to keep private but were cited in a 2024 special counsel's report. The recordings include Biden telling his ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer, about potentially classified information.

Some of this may be classified … So, be careful. I'm not sure … It's not marked classified but,

— Joe BidenBiden speaking to his ghostwriter about the nature of some of his notes.

In one instance, Biden is heard saying, "Some of this may be classified... So, be careful. I'm not sure... It's not marked classified but, ." At another point, he states, "The next thing I have here is, um, this is classified..." No classified material was ever alleged to be in the published book.

The next thing I have here is, um, this is classified …

— Joe BidenBiden indicating classified material during his conversation with his ghostwriter.

The tapes became a focal point in Special Counsel Robert Hur's investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, which were found in his home and private office. Hur's report characterized Biden as having "diminished faculties" and speaking "painfully slow" at times, though he ultimately did not recommend charges. Biden, in response to the report, stated he did not share classified information with his ghostwriter and was unaware how documents ended up in his garage.

I did not share classified information. I did not share it with my ghostwriter.

— Joe BidenBiden's statement to reporters following the release of the special counsel's report.

The recordings were released following a two-year court battle initiated by the Oversight Project, a conservative nonprofit. Biden's legal team initially opposed the release but eventually ceased further legal action. The recordings contain Biden describing meetings related to classified information, including discussions about the CIA, the Situation Room, and the Department of Defense. He also mentioned having extensive notes that the White House was unaware of.

I wasn't aware how boxes containing classified documents ended up in my garage.

— Joe BidenBiden addressing the discovery of classified documents in his home.
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Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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