Published on June 14, 2024, 1:28 am

Attorney General Merrick Garland has recently been found guilty of contempt of Congress. This declaration stems from Garland’s resolute refusal to release audio recordings associated with President Joe Biden’s interview regarding classified documents, carried out in conjunction with Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Hur.

This decision came to pass with a party line vote, the sole dissenting Republican voice being Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio. The action was necessitated as Attorney General Merrick Garland continues to neglect compliance with a lawful subpoena, as stated by House Speaker Mike Johnson prior to the vote.

Consequent upon accusations that Biden mishandled classified documents post his vice-presidency term, Republicans insisted on June 4 during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, that Garland should hand over these audio recordings for due examination. These interviews between Hur and the President had once contracted considerable spotlight.

While transcripts of discussions between Hur and Biden have been openly released, the audio recording portion remains withheld by the President who invoked executive privilege; an act firmly opposed by Republicans who believe full accessibility to these recordings will allow a comprehensive understanding of Biden’s cognitive status.

Given special counsel Robert Hur chose not to advocate prosecution fearing effects on’Biden’ documented as “an elderly man with a poor memory” and his “diminished faculties”, there has been criticism around the handling of information surrounding this issue leading to arguments that concealment from Congress obstructs its duty to ensure necessary checks on presidential power.

In lightening past instances where individuals faced penalties for similar charges, two ex-aides of previous President Donald Trump were sentenced on being held in contempt of Congress. However, former AG Eric Holder under Barack Obama’s presidency escaped prosecution despite condemnation from Obama’s DOJ inspector general.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has defended his actions stating cooperation from DOJ was extensive concerning the Hur investigation while refuting charges presenting requests for audio as an attack on DOJ itself.

Interestingly, Democrats in Congress objected retrieval efforts for Special Counsel audio, arousing speculations that this might be a ploy to please their base and level scores against Trump’s impeachment.

Despite the controversy, Republicans insist on the public’s right to have access to information from the interviews between Biden and Hur to ensure transparency and accountability. As this unfolds as breaking news, we promise our readers real, trusted news updates framed with a Christian worldview.