Trump Slams ‘Crooked’ Biden After Suing DOJ to Halt Release of Audio, Transcripts From Special Counsel Probe

Donald Trump has sharply criticised Joe Biden, calling him “crooked,” after Biden filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C. seeking to block the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from releasing audio recordings and transcripts linked to a special counsel investigation into classified documents.

The dispute centres on recordings of private conversations between Biden and his biographer Mark Zwonitzer , conducted at Biden’s home in 2016–2017 while working on his memoir Promise Me, Dad . The materials were obtained during the probe led by special counsel Robert Hur into Biden’s handling of classified documents from his time as senator and vice president .

Court filings show the DOJ is preparing to release the material by June 15, 2026 , to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the Heritage Foundation under a public records request. Biden’s legal team argues the move would violate privacy protections, executive privilege, and long-standing safeguards for sensitive law enforcement materials , especially since the conversations were personal and not part of official duties.

The Hur investigation concluded with a 345-page report that did not recommend criminal charges, but it raised concerns about Biden’s memory, age, and handling of classified material , including references to notes and documents found at his residence.

Trump’s comments come amid broader political fallout from the case, with Republicans arguing that the DOJ is applying selective standards in classified document investigations , while Democrats maintain that Biden fully cooperated with investigators and contrast the case with other prosecutions involving refusal to return documents.

The DOJ has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The court is expected to determine whether the release should be paused pending review or allowed to proceed , a decision that could shape future limits on disclosure of investigative materials and executive privacy rights.