US President Joe Biden has claimed executive privilege over the audio recording of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur, which is the subject of Republican efforts to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. The House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Judiciary Committee are planning hearings to recommend that the full House refer Garland to the Justice Department for contempt charges due to the department’s refusal to release the audio. Garland informed Biden that the audio is protected by executive privilege, arguing that releasing it would harm future law enforcement investigations. Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte urged lawmakers to avoid a conflict by discontinuing contempt proceedings. White House Counsel Ed Siskel criticized Congress’s request for the recording as politically motivated, suggesting that it could be used to portray Biden negatively in the upcoming election year.