DOJ Stands Firm on Refusal to Release Biden Interview Audio for GOP’s Impeachment Inquiry

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is standing firm in its decision not to release audio recordings from President Joe Biden’s interviews with special counsel Robert Hur, as requested by House Republicans. In a new letter obtained by CNN, DOJ Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte explained that the GOP has failed to establish any legitimate legislative purpose for demanding these files. This sets up a potential showdown between the DOJ and Republican leaders who have repeatedly threatened Attorney General Merrick Garland with contempt of Congress if he doesn’t hand over the audio recordings. The letter from Uriarte follows an earlier decision by the DOJ to decline Republicans’ demands for these files, as part of their ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Biden which appears to have stalled following unrealistic hopes that it might lead to his removal from office. In response, Uriarte argued that the DOJ has already provided House committees with transcripts of interviews conducted by Hur with both Biden and his co-author Mark Zwonitzer – fulfilling previous demands made during this impeachment inquiry into allegations regarding President Biden’s involvement in Ukraine. Republicans have repeatedly alleged concerns about these issues, but Uriarte claimed that the Chair of House Oversight Committee James Comer has not yet taken up DOJ’s offer to view classified documents related to Hur’s case made available two months ago despite persistent claims they are crucial evidence for his investigation into Biden. However, an Oversight spokesman later told CNN that staff had reviewed these classified documents during the inquiry process. In explaining why audio recordings of interviews cannot be released without sufficient cause or justification from House Republicans, Uriarte cited specific privacy concerns related to audio files – citing differences between the release of transcripts versus such files when it comes to protecting sensitive law enforcement information and witness cooperation for future investigations. He also highlighted that these generic characterizations lack any connection to the committees’ articulated purposes but acknowledged, “As courts have recognized, the privacy interest in one’s voice – including tone, pauses emotional reactions, and cues – is distinct from the privacy interest in a written transcript of one’s conversation.” Uriarte went on to suggest that Republicans may be seeking conflict for its own sake by demanding these audio files. The DOJ’s refusal to hand over the requested materials follows reports last month that suggested Biden could potentially face an impeachment vote before Congress adjourns in December – though such efforts are unlikely given current political realities and a lack of evidence supporting any allegations made against him during this ongoing investigation into his involvement with Ukraine.