House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to take legal action in federal court to enforce a subpoena against Attorney General Merrick Garland for the release of audio recordings of President Joe Biden. This decision comes after the Justice Department declined to act on the House's contempt referral.
Johnson expressed his disagreement with the DOJ's stance, criticizing it as reflective of a 'two-tiered system of justice' under the Biden Administration. He stated that he would be certifying the contempt reports to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and pursuing enforcement of the subpoena in federal court.
The Justice Department, in a letter to Johnson, cited its longstanding position of not prosecuting executive branch officials for withholding information subject to executive privilege from Congress. This stance led to the Department's decision not to prosecute Garland for failing to provide the audio recordings from Biden's interview in special counsel Robert Hur's investigation.
Republican lawmakers have argued that access to the tapes would enhance transparency and oversight of the investigation into a sitting US president. The House recently voted, mostly along party lines, to hold Garland in contempt for his refusal to release the recordings.
While the Justice Department defended its decision by stating that the transcripts of Biden's interviews were made public to protect ongoing and future investigations, critics argue that the audio recordings are essential for a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
In response to the vote of contempt, Garland expressed disappointment, accusing Republicans of politicizing a serious congressional authority. He emphasized that the decision not to provide the audio recordings was based on legal considerations and the need to safeguard investigative processes.
The legal battle between the House Speaker and the Attorney General underscores the ongoing tensions between Congress and the executive branch over the disclosure of sensitive information and the boundaries of executive privilege.
