The House Oversight Committee is taking steps to move forward with contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Merrick Garland due to his refusal to comply with a subpoena for audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with former Special Counsel Robert Hur. Hur’s investigation into the president’s handling of classified documents revealed that Biden made mistakes in recalling key dates during their interviews. The committee, which is Republican-controlled, will hold a hearing on May 16 to debate and consider amendments to the contempt resolution before recommending it to the full House of Representatives for a vote.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer issued a statement expressing frustration over Garland’s defiance of the subpoenas for the audio recordings of Biden’s interviews with Special Counsel Hur. A subpoena was originally issued against Garland on Feb. 27 for transcripts, notes, video, and audio files related to Hur’s investigation. While the Justice Department has provided Congress with transcripts of the interviews, the attorney general has refused to hand over the audio tapes, citing concerns that they will be used for political purposes.
Congress is seeking the audio recordings to aid in its investigation into President Biden’s retention of classified documents and his fitness to serve as president. Comer emphasized the importance of holding Garland accountable for failing to comply with lawful congressional subpoenas. The committee is pushing for consequences for the attorney general’s refusal to provide the requested materials. The Justice Department’s hesitation to release the audio tapes has further fueled the dispute between Congress and the executive branch.
Former Special Counsel Robert Hur, who was appointed by President Trump, submitted a report in early February that expressed concerns about President Biden’s handling of classified information. The report revealed evidence that the president had “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials” but noted that there was not enough evidence to prove this “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Hur also expressed concerns that a jury would view Biden sympathetically due to his age and memory issues. The report highlighted the challenges of holding a president accountable for mishandling classified information while also considering his age and potential memory lapses.
The House Oversight Committee’s decision to pursue contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Garland reflects the ongoing tension between Congress and the executive branch over access to key materials related to President Biden’s handling of classified information. The committee’s efforts to obtain the audio recordings of Biden’s interviews with Special Counsel Hur are part of a broader investigation into the president’s retention of classified documents and his fitness for office. The outcome of the committee’s hearings and votes on the contempt resolution will likely have significant implications for the relationship between Congress and the Justice Department.
