US Justice Dept rebuffs Republican demand for audio of Biden interview

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden waves as he departs for Baltimore from the White House in Washington, U.S., April 5, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department on Monday rebuffed demands by Republicans in the House of Representatives to hand over audio recordings of President Joe Biden's interviews with a special counsel whose report questioning Biden's memory set off a political firestorm.

Special Counsel Robert Hur angered House Republicans by deciding not to pursue criminal charges against Democrat Biden for retaining classified records dating back to his time serving as vice president under Barack Obama. The department had charged Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for keeping classified documents after he left the White House.