The House is set to proceed with a resolution to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress this week, intensifying tensions with the Justice Department following former President Donald Trump’s recent conviction. House Republicans will discuss the resolution in the Rules Committee on Tuesday, with a full House vote expected as early as Wednesday.
The resolution stems from Garland’s refusal to comply with a subpoena from House Republicans seeking access to audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with former special counsel Robert Hur. The subpoena was issued in February as part of an investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. Despite the DOJ’s publication of written transcripts and citing executive privilege, Republicans argue that access to the recordings is necessary for their oversight efforts and impeachment inquiry into Biden.
The move to hold Garland in contempt could pose a challenge for Biden-district Republicans, given the narrow majority in the House. Additionally, the resolution is likely to lead to prolonged court proceedings, potentially extending beyond the presidential election.
This development follows a recent contentious hearing where House Republicans accused the Justice Department of politically motivated investigations against Trump. Garland dismissed these claims as conspiracy theories but faces ongoing scrutiny from GOP lawmakers.
In response to these investigations, some Republicans, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, have called for funding cuts for what they perceive as politicized prosecutions by state and local prosecutors. Others, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have advocated for defunding special counsel Jack Smith’s office, further highlighting the partisan divide over legal matters involving Trump.
