In a razor-thin vote, Attorney General Merrick Garland has been found in contempt of Congress. While some may frame this as a symbolic step, it highlights a deepening conflict between the Biden Justice Department and congressional Republicans. Former Trump officials Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon are either set to or currently serving prison time for defying congressional subpoenas, showing that such actions can have serious consequences. The Biden administration, however, seems to be playing by a different set of rules, particularly in relation to the investigation into President Biden’s handling of classified documents.
House Republicans voted 216-207 to hold Garland in contempt, dramatically escalating their fight with the Justice Department. The vote came after Garland refused to turn over audio tapes of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Biden. Despite some initial skepticism, nearly every Republican supported the motion, while Democrats were united in opposition. Only Ohio Rep. David Joyce broke ranks and voted against it.
Shortly after the vote, the Justice Department issued a memo stating that the attorney general cannot be prosecuted. This internal DOJ memo argued that Garland is protected from prosecution for contempt of Congress due to President Biden’s assertion of executive privilege over the audio tapes. The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) claimed that no administration official has been prosecuted for failing to comply with a subpoena when the president has claimed executive privilege, a precedent they say spans nearly seven decades across administrations of both parties.
However, this legal justification appears to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The transcript of Biden’s interview with Hur has already been released, indicating that the information is out there. Republicans are demanding the audio to verify the context and tone, especially after Biden’s legal team disputed Hur’s characterization of the president as an old man with a failing memory. If there’s nothing to hide, why not release the tapes?
This situation starkly contrasts with the narrative spun by the Biden administration when Hunter Biden was convicted on federal gun charges. The administration hailed it as a victory for the rule of law, claiming it embodied the principle of justice. Yet, the same administration now asserts that its attorney general is exempt from congressional subpoenas, allowing Garland to ignore any investigation that doesn’t suit the administration’s interests.
The message is clear: the Biden administration believes it is above the law, especially when it comes to shielding itself from scrutiny. This double standard undermines public trust and raises serious questions about accountability and transparency at the highest levels of government.
