House GOP votes to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - On Capitol Hill Wednesday, House Republicans voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio of President Biden’s interview in his classified documents case.

The vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt, 216-207, was mostly along party lines. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called this a “significant step in maintaining the integrity’ of Congress’ oversight.

Republicans argue they need the audio tapes of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur to “verify the accuracy of written transcripts.” Hur investigated President Biden for his handling of classified documents. Hur chose not to prosecute the president but said he came off as an “elderly man with a poor memory.”

Democrats say Republicans want the audio to revive their impeachment inquiry of President Biden and to use it to attack him in campaign ads. Garland called the move “deeply disappointing.”

The next step would be for the Justice Department to prosecute Garland. That is the very agency he leads. Therfore, it is an unlikely event.

President Biden has also claimed executive privilege over the tapes.

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