House Republicans are set to vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to provide audio recordings of President Joe Biden's interviews with former special counsel Robert Hur. The dispute arose after Biden asserted executive privilege over the files, escalating tensions between the legislative and executive branches.
The vote signifies a deepening conflict over the recordings, with Republicans alleging that the Justice Department is biased against conservatives. The recordings are sought for an impeachment inquiry into Biden, although the likelihood of impeachment seems slim.
Garland has stood firm against the demands, denouncing what he calls baseless attacks. Despite some Republican dissent, GOP leadership is confident of securing enough votes for the contempt resolution.
If the resolution passes, it would be referred to the US attorney for the District of Columbia for further action. The DOJ's refusal to release the audio files has sparked a legal and political showdown, with Republicans arguing for full compliance with their subpoena.
The Biden administration has accused Republicans of seeking to manipulate the recordings for political gain, while Democrats have criticized the contempt vote as unwarranted. The issue has become a focal point in the lead-up to the November election, with Republicans seizing on Hur's characterization of Biden as an elderly man with memory issues.
As the House prepares for the contempt vote, tensions between the two parties continue to simmer, underscoring the broader political divide in Washington.
