The DOJ is covering up for Biden and it is grossly unethical.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, announced plans for House Republicans to initiate legal action against the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pursuit of audio recordings from special counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Biden. Johnson emphasized the intention to file a lawsuit in the coming week during a regular press conference, citing the DOJ’s refusal to comply with a subpoena for these tapes.
The subpoena, issued by House GOP investigators, was declined by Attorney General Merrick Garland on grounds of executive privilege invoked by President Biden. This decision came despite Hur’s conclusion that Biden, aged 81, exhibited traits of an elderly individual with a challenged memory, making it unlikely to secure a conviction on charges involving willful intent in relation to mishandling classified materials.
Following Garland’s refusal and the subsequent release of a full transcript of the interview by the DOJ, Republicans have persistently sought access to the audio recordings, arguing they would offer valuable insights into Biden’s mental state during the interview. Conversely, Democrats have dismissed these efforts as politically motivated attempts to manipulate the DOJ’s role.
The conflict escalated earlier this month when House Republicans held Garland in contempt, a move that did not result in criminal charges as the DOJ opted against prosecution. Despite this setback, Johnson underscored renewed efforts, coinciding with fellow Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s initiative to propose an “inherent contempt” resolution against Garland. This rare congressional measure, last utilized in the 1930s and never against a Cabinet member, would authorize the Sergeant-at-Arms to detain Garland for trial by the House.
In response to queries regarding Luna’s proposal, Johnson indicated ongoing discussions among colleagues but stopped short of confirming consensus on the matter. The developments reflect heightened tensions between House Republicans and the DOJ over access to critical investigative materials and concerns about executive privilege in the Biden administration’s handling of sensitive legal matters.
