Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., has escalated her efforts to obtain audio tapes of Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with President Biden by threatening to impose a $10,000 per day fine on Attorney General Merrick Garland for each day he fails to turn over the tapes. Luna intends to force a vote on her inherent contempt resolution against Garland, which would allow the House to try and convict him.
Luna filed a new resolution on Friday to hold Garland in inherent contempt and fine him for withholding the tapes. She plans to declare the measure 'privileged' when the House reconvenes on July 8, ensuring that it will be taken up within two legislative days.
The move to impose fines on Garland comes in the wake of concerns raised by Republicans about President Biden's recent debate performance against former President Trump. Biden's hoarse voice and stumbling responses during the debate have reignited questions about his mental acuity and fitness for office.
House Republicans previously voted to hold Garland in contempt for refusing to release the tapes, which reportedly contain information about Biden's handling of classified documents. The DOJ has cited executive privilege in withholding the tapes, prompting legal action from House Republicans, including a lawsuit led by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
While Biden has argued that the full transcript of the interview is available and criticized the GOP's efforts as partisan, Republicans maintain that the tapes are crucial for understanding Biden's mental state. The ongoing dispute underscores the deepening political divide over transparency and accountability within the Biden administration.
