Joe Biden’s Justice Department has refused to turn over subpoenaed audio recordings of former Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Biden to House Republicans.
This decision has led House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to threaten to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. The House members had set Monday, April 8, as the deadline for Garland to comply with their subpoena.
The subpoenaed audio recordings pertain to an interview conducted by Robert Hur, who was appointed as Special Counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate President Biden’s handling of classified documents. The House Republicans have been seeking these recordings as part of their ongoing oversight efforts into the Biden administration.
In response to the Justice Department’s refusal to comply with the subpoena, Comer and Jordan issued a joint statement expressing their frustration and disappointment. They argued that the audio recordings are essential to their investigation and that the Justice Department’s decision to withhold them is an obstruction of their constitutional oversight responsibilities.
DOJ.🚨
Attorney General Merrick Garland Now in Danger of 'Contempt of Congress'
Attorney General Merrick Garland faces a deadline of TODAY to turn over recordings of President Joe Biden's special counsel interview with Robert Hur or risk Contempt of Congress charges.… pic.twitter.com/uc5HTngOHN
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) April 8, 2024
“The American people deserve transparency and accountability from their government,” the statement read.
“The Justice Department’s refusal to turn over these recordings is a clear attempt to obstruct our legitimate oversight efforts. We will not tolerate this obstruction, and we are prepared to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt of Congress if necessary.”
AG Merrick Garland must produce full audio recordings of Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with Biden https://t.co/6RbPesUBj6 pic.twitter.com/HoXMiDjUOA
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) April 8, 2024
The Justice Department has defended its decision, stating that the audio recordings are part of an ongoing investigation and that their release could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation. In a statement, a Justice Department spokesperson said, “The Department is committed to cooperating with Congress in a manner consistent with our obligation to protect the integrity of our investigations and the rights of those involved. We believe that releasing these recordings at this time could undermine the ongoing investigation and potentially harm the interests of justice.”
This standoff between the Justice Department and House Republicans is the latest in a series of confrontations between the Biden administration and congressional Republicans, who have been aggressively pursuing investigations into various aspects of the administration’s actions. It remains to be seen whether the House Republicans will follow through on their threat to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt of Congress, and how this conflict will ultimately be resolved.
