The Justice Department under Joe Biden has declined to release subpoenaed audio recordings of former Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Biden to House Republicans.
In response, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, have warned of potential contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The deadline set by the House members for Garland to provide the recordings was Monday, April 8.
The subpoenaed audio recordings are related to an interview carried out by Robert Hur, who was designated as Special Counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland to probe President Biden’s management of classified documents.
The House Republicans have been pursuing these recordings as a component of their continuous oversight endeavors concerning the Biden administration.
Following the Justice Department’s refusal to adhere to the subpoena, Comer and Jordan released a collective statement conveying their frustration and dissatisfaction.
They contended that the audio recordings are crucial to their inquiry and criticized the Justice Department’s choice to keep them from them as an obstruction of their constitutional oversight duties.
DOJ.🚨
Attorney General Merrick Garland Now in Danger of 'Contempt of Congress'
Attorney General Merrick Garland faces a deadline of TODAY to turn over recordings of President Joe Biden's special counsel interview with Robert Hur or risk Contempt of Congress charges.… pic.twitter.com/uc5HTngOHN
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) April 8, 2024
“The American people deserve transparency and accountability from their government,” the statement read.
“The Justice Department’s refusal to turn over these recordings is a clear attempt to obstruct our legitimate oversight efforts. We will not tolerate this obstruction, and we are prepared to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt of Congress if necessary.”
AG Merrick Garland must produce full audio recordings of Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with Biden https://t.co/6RbPesUBj6 pic.twitter.com/HoXMiDjUOA
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) April 8, 2024
The Justice Department has justified its decision by explaining that the audio recordings are crucial to an active investigation and that their disclosure could compromise its integrity.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department emphasized their commitment to working with Congress while upholding the need to safeguard the investigative process and the rights of those involved.
The spokesperson expressed concern that releasing the recordings now could disrupt the ongoing investigation and potentially impede the pursuit of justice.
This clash between the Justice Department and House Republicans is part of a series of tensions between the Biden administration and congressional Republicans, who have been vigorously probing various aspects of the administration’s activities.
It remains uncertain whether House Republicans will proceed with their threat to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt of Congress, and how this dispute will eventually be settled.
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