DOJ Faces Criticism for Delays in Releasing Recordings of Biden Interviews

The Justice Department is facing criticism for pushing back against a court order that imposed a quick timeline for determining whether tapes of President Biden's conversations with former Special Counsel Robert Hur should be publicly released. The move has sparked accusations of a political cover-up and has raised questions about the transparency of the department's investigation into the classified documents probe.

The Justice Department has come under fire for attempting to delay the release of recordings of President Biden's interviews with former Special Counsel Robert Hur. Advocacy groups had filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the recordings, prompting the department to push back on a federal court's order to expedite their release.

The situation emerged after congressional Republicans, including Representatives James Comer and Jim Jordan, sought the recordings through subpoenas. However, the Justice Department declined to comply with the subpoenas, leading to threats of contempt of Congress charges.

In response to the DOJ's resistance, three organizations – the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project, Judicial Watch, and CNN – filed lawsuits seeking the tapes' release. The cases were consolidated, and a U.S. District Court ordered an accelerated briefing schedule to litigate the issue.

Kyle Brosnan, chief counsel for the Oversight Project, argued that the recordings should be released promptly, asserting that it is in the public interest. He criticized the Justice Department's request for additional time, claiming that top officials are already well aware of the matter.

In their court filing, the Heritage-related plaintiffs objected to the original briefing schedule, emphasizing the case's importance. They accused the Justice Department of "bemoaning" the need to consider Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays.

Judicial Watch has labeled the Justice Department's objections as "yet another brazen cover up," suggesting a political motive behind the delay.

Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the government to file any oppositional motions for summary judgment by May 31. Several other accelerated dates have been set, including final motions on July 29.

Brosnan emphasized the significance of releasing the audio recordings, highlighting that they would provide a different context compared to the transcripts. He argued that the recordings could shed light on President Biden's mental capabilities.

In response to the allegations about Biden's mental health, the White House has dismissed these claims. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boyton stated that CNN is not entitled to documents or information exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

The Justice Department's handling of the FOIA request for recordings of President Biden's interviews has ignited controversy and raised questions about the department's transparency. The expedited briefing schedule ordered by the court will determine the pace of the litigation and ultimately decide whether the tapes will be made public, potentially shedding further light on the classified documents probe.