House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced a Wednesday vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. This move intensifies the conflict over President Biden’s classified documents and related audio recordings.
The Justice Department has refused subpoenas from the Republican-led House Judiciary and Oversight committees, which seek recordings of special counsel Robert Hur’s interview with Biden and his ghostwriter, which is crucial to their impeachment inquiry.
The committees’ subpoenas are part of their investigation into President Biden’s actions regarding classified documents from his tenure as vice president. Special counsel Hur, appointed by Garland, conducted an interview with Biden in October 2023 for this investigation.
Despite having transcripts of the interviews, Republicans insist on obtaining the audio recordings, claiming they are essential to verify the accuracy of the transcripts and ensure they have not been altered.
In May, President Biden invoked executive privilege over the recordings, leading to a party-line vote in the committees to recommend holding Garland in contempt. House Republicans argue that the audio recordings are critical for their inquiry.
Scalise emphasized the importance of comparing the audio to the transcripts to identify any discrepancies and understand their implications. He stressed the need to uncover potential differences as part of their investigation.
The Justice Department, however, has raised concerns about releasing the recordings. Officials argue that making the recordings public could deter witness cooperation in future high-profile investigations, thereby hampering their effectiveness. They suggest that the confidentiality of such materials is vital for maintaining the integrity of investigative processes.
Should the House pass the resolution to hold Garland in contempt, the matter would be referred to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. This referral could potentially lead to criminal prosecution. The outcome of this vote and subsequent actions will significantly impact the ongoing investigation and the broader political landscape.