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DOJ may be able to release potentially embarrassing Biden audio recordings unless courts step in
By Katelyn Polantz at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 22, 2026
· 4 min read
Former President Joe Biden is in an uphill battle to try to stop the Justice Department from sharing recordings it collected of him speaking to his ghostwriter in 2016 and 2017, during which his speech and memory faltered.Court decisions on Friday and into next month are poised to revive question...
Key takeaway She also said the Justice Department plans to redact parts of the tapes, and she decided that Bidens privacy arguments largely overlook the Departments recent redactions and reasonings.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The potential release of these recordings could have implications for Detroit -area voters who supported Biden in past elections. As the city's residents consider the mental acuity of their preferred candidates, the recordings may raise questions about Biden's fitness for office, even if they are from several years ago. The fact that the recordings contain discussions of foreign policy, including potentially classified material, may be of particular interest to Detroit's diverse community, which has a significant stake in international relations and global economic development. The city's history of political engagement and activism may also mean that residents will be closely watching the court's decision and its potential impact on the national conversation about leadership and accountability. As the appellate court in DC weighs in, Detroiters will be waiting to see how this story unfolds and what it might mean for their own political priorities and values.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former President Joe Biden is in an uphill battle to try to stop the Justice Department from sharing recordings it collected of him speaking to his ghostwriter in 2016 and 2017, during which his speech and memory faltered.Court decisions on Friday and into next month are poised to revive question...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katelyn Polantz at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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