Biden admits keeping classified Afghanistan document for posterity in leaked audio
Former President Joe Biden recently found himself in hot water after leaked audio from his interview with special counsel Robert Hur revealed that he had kept a classified document related to Afghanistan after leaving the vice presidency. In the audio, Biden admitted that he likely held onto the document for “posterity’s sake,” although he initially claimed not to recall why he had it.
Hur, who discovered the document in the library of Biden’s lake house, questioned the former president about his motives for keeping it. Biden mentioned that he believed the document reflected his position on Afghanistan, a topic he considered crucial in the context of changing international societies due to technological advancements.
However, the conversation took a confusing turn when Biden’s lawyer intervened to prevent speculation about the document’s significance. Hur eventually suggested taking a break, as Biden seemed to struggle with key memories, such as the year his son, Beau Biden, passed away, and the year he left the vice presidency.
The leaked audio, part of an investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents, emerged after congressional pressure for its release. The House Judiciary Committee sued Attorney General Merrick Garland to obtain the recordings, emphasizing the importance of understanding Biden’s responses in their full context, particularly given Hur’s decision not to charge him due to memory issues.
Despite Biden’s executive privilege over the audio recordings, Hur’s report, released in February 2024, did not recommend criminal charges against him. The documents in question pertained to military and foreign policy in Afghanistan and other countries, raising concerns about sensitive intelligence sources and methods.
As the controversy surrounding the leaked audio continues to unfold, Biden’s team has not yet provided a comment on the matter. The public awaits further developments in this ongoing saga that sheds light on the former president’s actions and memory lapses during his time in office.
