Biden Admits to Keeping Classified Documents in Tapes with Ghostwriter

Audio recordings from conversations between former President Joe Biden and his ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer have surfaced, revealing Biden's admission of retaining classified documents long before his 2020 presidential campaign. The tapes, which were released following a legal battle led by the Oversight Project, highlight Biden's notable memory issues, with instances of long pauses and difficulty recalling names and events. In one segment, Biden reflects on attending a memorial service, struggling to remember details and stating, "I should write the names down because I keep forgetting them."

Biden also explicitly discussed the classified nature of some information, cautioning Zwonitzer, "Some of this may be classified so be careful with it." He recounted finding classified materials in his home as early as 2009, stating, "I just found all the classified stuff downstairs." This admission aligns with the findings of special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden's handling of classified documents. Hur's investigation concluded in February 2024, determining that Biden had willfully retained classified documents but opted not to pursue charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Hur described Biden as a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory," noting his inability to recall key dates and events, including his candidacy announcement and the death of his son, Beau.

The Oversight Project emphasized the significance of the numerous redactions in the transcripts, indicating that Biden was revealing sensitive information. They pointed out that Biden frequently acknowledged the classified nature of the information being discussed, with substantial portions of the audio files redacted to protect classified content. These revelations raise questions about Biden's handling of sensitive information and the implications of his admissions in the context of ongoing investigations.