Audio recordings of conversations between former US President Joe Biden and his ghostwriter have been made public. The release, which occurred on Monday, July 27, followed a protracted legal dispute initiated by the conservative Oversight Project against the Justice Department. Initially, the former US president sought to keep the recordings confidential but later dropped his legal opposition.
The recordings shed light on Mr. Biden’s retention of classified materials post his tenure as Vice President, offering insights into his collaboration with former President Barack Obama. Joe Biden served as Vice President under Obama from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017, before assuming the role of the 46th President of the United States from January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025.
In the tapes, Biden is heard discussing notes from his Vice Presidential days while sharing them with biographer Mark Lewis Zwonitzer. He mentions holding handwritten notes from his time in office, some of which are redacted due to their sensitive nature concerning classified foreign policy issues. Furthermore, the recordings disclose tensions between Biden and Obama regarding the response to the 2008 financial crisis, with Biden expressing disagreement on the administration’s approach.
Additionally, the recordings revisit Biden’s decision not to challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016. Biden recalls Obama advising him that the decision was his to make but cautioning that it would be a challenging endeavor. Biden reflects on his perception at the time, acknowledging the perceived difficulty of securing the nomination.
The release of these recordings provides a glimpse into the dynamics and deliberations within the Obama-Biden administration, offering a unique perspective on the decision-making processes and interactions at the highest levels of government.