**Justice Department Downplays Public Interest in Biden-Hur Interview Audio**
**Department Argues Release Would Not Be in Public Interest**
The Justice Department has argued that releasing audio recordings of an interview between President Biden and former Ukrainian prosecutor general Viktor Shokin would not be in the public interest, despite a court order requiring their release.
In a court filing, the department said that the recordings are part of an ongoing criminal investigation and that their release could jeopardize the investigation.
The department also argued that the public interest in the recordings is outweighed by the need to protect the privacy of those involved in the investigation.
**Court Order Required Release of Recordings**
In March 2023, a federal judge ordered the Justice Department to release the recordings by April 27, 2023.
The judge ruled that the public interest in the recordings outweighed the government's interest in keeping them secret.
The judge also found that the recordings were not part of an ongoing criminal investigation and that their release would not jeopardize the investigation.
**Biden Accused of Improperly Pressuring Shokin**
The recordings are part of an investigation into whether Biden improperly pressured Shokin to drop an investigation into a Ukrainian natural gas company that employed Biden's son, Hunter Biden.
Biden has denied any wrongdoing, and there is no evidence that he did anything illegal.
However, the recordings could shed light on Biden's interactions with Shokin and whether he used his position as vice president to pressure Shokin to drop the investigation.
**Justice Department's Arguments Questioned**
Critics of the Justice Department's arguments have questioned whether the department is truly acting in the public interest.
They argue that the public has a right to know what was said in the recordings, especially given the allegations against Biden.
They also argue that the Justice Department's investigation is politically motivated and that the department is trying to protect Biden.
**Conclusion**
The Justice Department's decision to downplay the public interest in the Biden-Shokin interview audio is a controversial one.
The department's arguments are questionable, and critics are accusing the department of acting in the political interests of President Biden.
The public has a right to know what was said in the recordings, and the Justice Department should release them immediately.
