House Republicans are advancing efforts to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. The House Rules Committee is currently debating contempt resolutions against Garland, who has refused to turn over audio recordings of President Biden’s interviews with the special counsel investigating the president’s handling of classified documents.
Republicans are demanding the release of these audiotapes, arguing that transparency is necessary. However, the Justice Department has provided transcripts but declined to release the audiotapes, citing concerns that making interviews public could deter future witness cooperation.
Committee ranking member Jim McGovern contends that the contempt effort is politically motivated, aiming to damage President Biden. Meanwhile, Attorney General Garland is defending the Justice Department against accusations of politicization. In an op-ed published in the Washington Post, Garland described the claims as “baseless, personal, and dangerous,” addressing allegations from Donald Trump and his allies that the criminal cases against Trump are intended to influence the 2024 election.
The House is preparing for floor votes on the contempt resolutions later this week, signaling ongoing partisan tensions in Congress over this issue.
