The House Judiciary Committee is planning to vote on a measure to hold President Joe Biden’s ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer, in contempt of Congress for refusing to hand over documents and materials related to Biden’s memoirs. The vote is scheduled to take place on Thursday morning, just hours before Biden and former President Donald Trump hold their first debate of the 2024 campaign. The resolution is expected to advance along party lines, with Republicans leading the charge. The committee first requested the documents and communications in February, following special counsel Robert Hur’s report, which did not recommend charges against Biden for his handling of classified documents. The requested materials include communications between Zwonitzer and Biden or his staff, contracts, proof of payment, and transcripts of interviews for the memoirs.
Zwonitzer’s attorney initially indicated that he would produce the requested documents, but later stated that Zwonitzer would not cooperate without a subpoena. The committee issued a subpoena in March, which was challenged by Zwonitzer’s attorney. Despite this, the House Judiciary Committee has continued to press for the materials tied to Biden’s memoirs, including audio recordings of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur. Biden has asserted executive privilege over these recordings, with Democrats on the Judiciary Committee publishing full transcripts of the interview in March. Hur’s report suggested that Biden could portray himself as an elderly man with a poor memory, but did not establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Republicans have used this assessment against Biden as he campaigns for a second term.
If the contempt resolution against Zwonitzer advances as expected on Thursday, the next step would be a House floor vote. Previously, the Republican-controlled House voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt for failing to hand over audio recordings, but the Justice Department declined to bring charges against him. The committee’s efforts to obtain materials related to Biden’s memoirs are part of a larger investigation into his conduct and the possible mishandling of classified information. Congressional Republicans have been pushing for more transparency and accountability from the Biden administration, particularly in light of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The ongoing battle over obtaining the documents and communications related to Biden’s memoirs reflects the heightened political tensions in Washington. As Biden prepares for a potential second term, his handling of sensitive information and his interactions with his ghostwriter have become key points of contention for Republicans. The House Judiciary Committee’s decision to pursue a contempt resolution against Zwonitzer underscores the partisan divide in Congress and the ongoing scrutiny of the Biden administration’s actions. The outcome of Thursday’s vote could have significant implications for both Biden’s presidency and the broader political landscape leading up to the 2024 election.
