House Oversight, Judiciary Committees to Consider Holding AG Garland in Contempt over Biden Interview Recording
The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees will convene a meeting on Thursday, March 9th, to discuss a resolution that could hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. This action stems from the Justice Department’s refusal to produce the audio recording of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, conducted as part of the investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents.
In a statement released on Monday, Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) expressed the committees’ determination to obtain the audio recording, emphasizing its importance to their investigation. Comer asserted that the Justice Department’s failure to comply with the lawful subpoenas issued by the committees has left them with no choice but to consider holding Garland in contempt.
The Justice Department has previously indicated that it would not provide the audio recording, stating that it has already made available a transcript of Biden’s interview. However, the committees maintain that the audio recording is essential for their inquiry into Biden’s retention of classified documents and his fitness to serve as President of the United States.
Republicans on the committees have raised concerns about Biden’s handling of classified documents, particularly in light of the findings of Special Counsel Hur’s report, which was released to the public in February. While Hur did not recommend criminal charges against Biden, he did note that the mishandling and retention of classified documents implicated ‘sensitive intelligence sources and methods.’
The committees’ decision to consider holding Garland in contempt marks an escalation in the ongoing investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. The outcome of Thursday’s meeting will be closely watched, as it could potentially lead to further legal action and have implications for Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign.
