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The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The 216-207 vote comes after months of efforts by House Republicans to publicize material from the special counsel’s investigation.
Why It Matters
The vote is a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between the House Republicans and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Although the vote is unlikely to result in Garland’s prosecution, Republicans hope it will bolster their efforts to obtain the audio files.
The Vote and Reactions
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) was the only Republican to vote against the resolution, stating that he could not support a measure that would politicize the judicial system further. Garland expressed disappointment, criticizing the House for turning serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon and ignoring the constitutional separation of powers.
Background and Context
Special counsel Robert Hur’s report in February revealed that Biden experienced frequent memory lapses during his interview, leading prosecutors to view him as a sympathetic figure with a poor memory. House Republicans seized on this revelation, pushing for more details and holding a hearing with Hur. The DOJ provided a transcript of the interview but withheld the audio, citing executive privilege asserted by Biden.
Arguments from Both Sides
House Republicans, led by figures like House Oversight Chairman James R. Comer (R-Ky.), argue that the audio recordings are necessary to understand the full context of Biden’s comments, which transcripts alone cannot capture. They suggest that the administration is hiding something by refusing to release the audio.
Democrats, however, see the contempt push as a partisan stunt. They argue that executive privilege is a valid reason for withholding the tapes and that any challenge to this privilege should be settled in court. They point out that Garland has cooperated extensively with congressional demands, providing substantial information related to Hur’s investigation.
Broader Implications
The DOJ argues that releasing the audio could deter future cooperation in investigations and has expressed concerns about potential misuse of the recordings. Garland and other DOJ officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the department’s work and protecting sensitive law enforcement information.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) contended that Garland does not have the authority to decide whether to comply with a subpoena, while Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) countered that there is no basis for holding Garland in contempt, highlighting the DOJ’s cooperation and the substantial information already provided.
The House’s vote to hold Garland in contempt reflects deep partisan divides and raises questions about the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. As the situation develops, the legal and political ramifications of this conflict will likely continue to unfold.
References:
Axios: “House votes to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress” by Andrew Solender
Roll Call: “House GOP tees up vote on contempt of Congress for Garland” by Ryan Tarinelli
Epoch Times: “House Votes to Hold AG Garland in Contempt of Congress” by Joseph Lord, Jackson Richman, and Samantha Flom