The White House has revealed that President Biden has asserted executive privilege over audio and video recordings of his interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur, at the request of Attorney General Merrick Garland.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a media briefing on Thursday, May 16, 2024, to address President Biden's assertion of executive privilege over recordings of his interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur.
Jean-Pierre stated that Garland had suggested protecting the "law enforcement files," leading to the president's decision. She directed further questions to the White House counsel's office.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) informed House Republicans investigating Biden that the executive branch would not provide subpoenaed materials from Hur's investigation. Associate Attorney General Carlos Uriarte cited the longstanding practice that individuals asserting executive privilege cannot face criminal contempt of Congress charges.
Hur investigated Biden's handling of classified documents after leaving office as vice president. In February, he announced he would not recommend criminal charges, citing Biden's advanced age and cognitive decline, leading to widespread outrage.
Biden met with Hur for five hours, during which he was questioned about his handling of classified documents. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Biden of fearing the release of these tapes, which he believes confirm Hur's findings.
Jean-Pierre emphasized that transcripts of Biden's interview with Hur have been publicly available for months. She declined to explain the need for protecting audio and video recordings when transcripts have already been released, deferring to the attorney general and the president.
Hur wrote in his report that Biden is a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory," suggesting it would be challenging to convict him of any willful crime. This sparked criticism that Biden was deemed too cognitively impaired to be charged with a crime but could still serve as president.
Former President Trump slammed the disparity in charges, accusing the justice system of being "sick and corrupt." Republicans have received news of Biden's executive privilege claim with skepticism, accusing him of hiding information.
The White House has maintained that the president has nothing to hide and that the transcripts of his interview with Hur provide the public with adequate information. The DOJ's refusal to turn over subpoenaed materials has fueled tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
The controversy over Biden's assertion of executive privilege is likely to continue as the House probe into his handling of classified documents intensifies.
