Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Republican attacks on the Department of Justice (DOJ) as "unprecedented" and "unfounded" during his opening remarks Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee.
Why it matters: Garland forcefully defended himself and the DOJ from the attacks and addressed GOP threats to hold him in contempt, saying that he "will not be intimidated."
- "We will continue to do our jobs free from political influence. And we will not back down from defending democracy," Garland said during his opening remarks.
- Garland also sharply criticized the "heinous threats of violence" toward the DOJ's career public servants.
Driving the news: House Republicans zeroed in Tuesday on former President Trump's conviction in Manhattan last week, repeating the false criticisms that the charges are politically motivated.
- Garland emphasized Tuesday that the Justice Department is "completely independent" from the District Attorney's office that brought the 34 felony charges against Trump.
- "We do not control the Manhattan District Attorney," he said.
Zoom in: Republicans are seeking to hold Garland in contempt after the Justice Department refused to turn over audio of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
- Biden last month asserted executive privilege to block House Republicans from accessing audio recordings of his interview with Hur.
What he's saying: "We have made clear that we will not provide audio recordings, from which the transcripts you already have were created," Garland said during his opening remarks.
- "Releasing the audio would chill cooperation with the Department in future investigations."
- "And it could influence witnesses' answers if they thought the audio of their law enforcement interviews could be broadcast to Congress and the public."
Go deeper: House GOP's Garland contempt hearing beset by chaotic outbursts
Editor's note: This story was updated with new developments from the hearing.
