evidence: READ MORE: White House blocks audio of Biden’s special counsel interview, arguing GOP has political motives Mike Howell of the Heritage Foundation accused the Justice Department of trying to protect Biden from potential embarrassment. A transcript of the interview showed the president struggling to recall certain dates and confusing details but showing a deep recall of information at other times. "They don’t want to release this audio at all," said Howell, executive director of the group’s oversight project. "They are doing the kitchen sink approach and they are absolutely freaked out they don’t have any good legal argument to stand on." The Justice Department declined to comment Monday beyond its filing. Biden asserted executive privilege last month to prevent the release of the recording of his two-day interview in October with special counsel Robert Hur. The Justice Department has argued witnesses might be less likely to cooperate if they know their interviews might become public. It has also said that Republican efforts to force the audio’s release could make it harder to protect sensitive law enforcement files.