Leaked audio from an interview with then-special counsel Robert Hur indicates that Joe Biden acknowledged he may have kept a sensitive government document after his vice presidency, attributing the decision to historical interest.

The release of the recording has renewed questions about Biden’s cognitive state while in office and reignited efforts in Congress to access the full interview as part of an ongoing investigation into his handling of classified materials, as Fox News reports.

The audio recording, which surfaced recently, captures Biden in discussion with Hur regarding the discovery of a classified document related to U.S. policy in Afghanistan. The document was found in the library of Biden's Delaware lake house, one of several locations searched during the broader probe into the unauthorized retention of federal materials.

In the recording, Biden initially expressed uncertainty about why the document was in his possession, saying, “I don’t know that I knew,” and adding that he wouldn’t have stopped to think about it at the time.

Later in the interview, however, he seemed to clarify his motive, explaining that he believed it had historical importance. “I guess I wanted to hang on to it for posterity’s sake,” Biden said, referring to the document as reflecting his perspective on Afghanistan.

Biden also spoke about global change and technology, appearing to link the substance of the document with broader geopolitical shifts. “There are a lot of things that I think are fundamentally changing how international societies function,” he said, emphasizing the role of technological transformation in foreign policy.

Biden contradicts himself in interview

Despite initially describing the document as connected to Afghanistan, Biden later stated, “It had nothing to do with Afghanistan.” This contradiction raised concerns among investigators and was noted in the audio as a key moment in the interview, contributing to the perception of confusion surrounding his recollection.

Hur, conducting the interview, paused the exchange after an interjection from one of Biden’s attorneys, who warned about entering "speculative areas." The attorney reminded those present that Biden had first said he did not recall why he had the document. Shortly after, Hur called for a break in the interview session.

Additional segments of the audio broadened concerns about Biden’s clarity during the exchange. At one point, he struggled to recall when his son, Beau Biden, passed away, as well as the year he ended his term as vice president. These moments were included in Hur’s overall assessment of Biden’s memory and mental state.

Failing memory cited in decision not to recommend charges

Hur’s final public report, released in February 2024, stated that no criminal charges would be brought against Biden. The report judged that Biden was viewed as a well-intentioned, elderly individual with memory issues, and that criminal prosecution was not warranted under the circumstances.

The classified materials at the center of the investigation dealt with U.S. foreign and military policy, particularly regarding Afghanistan. Some of the files were said to contain information tied to national security and involved sensitive intelligence sources and procedures.

According to Hur's report, the document found in Biden’s library was also referenced by journalists Bob Woodward and Jules Witcover in their respective writings about Biden’s career. This contributed to the belief among investigators that Biden considered the file to be historically relevant.

Congress seeks deeper access to interview

Before Biden formally ended his re-election campaign in July 2024, the House Judiciary Committee filed a lawsuit to obtain the complete recording of the interview. The suit, launched in the same month, targeted Attorney General Merrick Garland and argued that listening to the audio was crucial to interpret both the content and delivery of Biden’s responses.

The committee claimed that only the audio could offer an accurate understanding of how Biden physically and cognitively presented himself during the session. The group had previously requested the materials, but the White House blocked the release by invoking executive privilege while Biden was still in office.

Efforts to release the audio continued alongside growing concerns about Biden’s fitness for office. These concerns expanded following his June 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump, which contributed to his decision to suspend his campaign weeks later.

Reactions pour in as more awaited

Since the audio was leaked, Fox News Digital has reached out to Biden for comment. As of now, no official response from the former president has been publicly acknowledged.

Public reaction to the leak has varied across party lines, with Democrats suggesting that the issue has been over-politicized, while Republicans argue it underscores deeper concerns about Biden’s capacity and record-keeping judgments after leaving office.

As scrutiny continues, the leaked audio remains a focal point for both political examination and legal debate, as lawmakers and analysts seek greater understanding of Biden’s decision-making during his time out of public office and the lasting implications of retaining classified government records.