Perhaps it is not a popcorn show, but the viewing experience might be worth it. Trump administration officials are considering releasing Robert Hur’s interview with Biden about the mishandling of classified documents. Hur declined to prosecute Biden, citing concerns about his age and mental capacity. Biden claimed executive privilege over the audio in May 2024, despite the transcript having previously been released.
The Battle Over Biden’s Interview Recording
The Trump administration is deliberating whether to release the audio recording of special counsel Robert Hur’s October 2023 interview with then-President Joe Biden regarding his mishandling of classified documents. This five-hour interview became controversial after Hur declined to criminally charge Biden, explicitly citing the president’s age and diminished mental acuity as factors in his decision. The transcript was released earlier, but Biden claimed executive privilege over the audio recording in May 2024, creating a standoff that continues into the new administration.
The House Judiciary Committee previously sued to obtain the audio, but that lawsuit has stalled since Trump took office. Now, the administration faces a May 20 deadline stemming from two Freedom of Information Act lawsuits to decide whether to maintain Biden’s executive privilege claim or release the recording. White House officials indicate the former president and his staff are preparing for the possibility of the audio becoming public, suggesting the new administration may be leaning toward transparency.
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS? The Trump administration is contemplating the release of the Hur interview, which was blocked by Biden
REMEMBER? Biden had asserted executive privilege to block House committees from obtaining the recordings – Hur was the special counsel who… pic.twitter.com/X3rR72n6tm
— BelannF (@BelannF) May 8, 2025
Allegations of a Cover-Up
Trump adviser Mike Davis has made explosive claims about what the recording might reveal, setting high expectations for its potential impact. “The Hur audio will confirm what is one of the biggest cover-ups in American history,” Davis stated, though he did not provide specific details to support this assertion. This rhetoric amplifies the political stakes surrounding the audio’s potential release, framing it as more than just an administrative decision but rather as an opportunity to expose alleged misconduct.
“The Hur audio will confirm what is one of the biggest cover-ups in American history.” – Mike Davis
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has acknowledged public interest in the recording. When questioned about the potential release, Leavitt responded, “I don’t have an update on that, but I can certainly check. I think the American people would be quite interested to hear that tape, but I’ll double-check on the release of it.” This measured response suggests the administration recognizes the political sensitivity of the decision while also indicating openness to transparency.
The Trump admin is making plans to release the audio of Biden’s interview with Robert Hur, the special counsel who investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents and raised questions about his mental acuity.https://t.co/jiS92xELxo pic.twitter.com/5TSuPrYlyh
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) May 8, 2025
Legal and Ethical Implications
The Department of Justice has previously raised concerns about releasing the audio, arguing it could invade Biden’s privacy and potentially discourage future cooperation from government officials in similar investigations. These objections highlight the tension between transparency and maintaining the integrity of investigative processes. The Trump administration must weigh these considerations against the public interest in accessing information about a former president’s conduct and capacity.
Adding to the controversy, the transcript of the interview suggests discrepancies between Biden’s public statements and his responses to Hur. Specifically, Biden claimed publicly that he was questioned about his son’s death during the interview, but the transcript contains no such questioning. This apparent contradiction has fueled Republican arguments that the audio could reveal additional inconsistencies or concerns about Biden’s truthfulness and mental state that might not be fully captured in the written transcript.
Political Calculus
For the Trump administration, the decision carries significant political implications. Releasing the audio could reinforce narratives about Biden’s cognitive decline that featured prominently in the 2024 campaign. It would also demonstrate the new administration’s commitment to transparency, potentially contrasting with critics’ portrayals of Trump as secretive. However, it risks appearing vindictive or politically motivated rather than principled, especially if the release is perceived as primarily aimed at embarrassing a political opponent.
With the May 20 deadline approaching, the administration’s decision will likely set an important precedent for how it handles sensitive materials from the previous administration. It also represents an early test of how Trump will balance political advantage against institutional norms during his second term. Whatever the outcome, the controversy underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining appropriate accountability and transparency in government while respecting legitimate privacy and security concerns.