AP News

House Republicans are ready to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over Biden audio

House Republicans are preparing to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for not providing an unredacted audio recording from a special counsel interview with President Joe Biden regarding his handling of classified documents. The House Judiciary Committee plans to meet on May 16 to advance the contempt charges against Garland. This move follows Garland's refusal to fully comply with a congressional subpoena related to Special Counsel Robert Hur's decision not to charge Biden with any crimes. Republicans, led by Reps. Jim Jordan and James Comer, had requested audio recordings of Hur's interviews with Biden by early April. However, the Justice Department turned over only some records, excluding the audio recording of Biden's interview. Should the House vote to hold Garland in contempt, a referral would be sent to the Justice Department. The last time an attorney general was held in contempt was in 2012 when Eric Holder faced similar charges, though the Justice Department took no action against him.