House GOP Takes Legal Action Against AG Garland for Biden Interview Audio

House Republicans are suing c to get the audio recording of President Joe Biden’s interview about classified documents. They want to enforce a subpoena and challenge the White House’s decision to keep the recording secret by using executive privilege.

This legal fight is part of a bigger political battle leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Earlier, the White House blocked the release of the recording, and Republicans held Garland in contempt of Congress, but the Justice Department didn’t pursue the case.

The lawsuit underscores the House Judiciary Committee’s efforts to obtain the audio recording, citing Speaker Mike Johnson’s unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to resolve the matter with Garland. The Justice Department, however, pointed Republicans to the White House, which rejected their efforts.

Garland has defended his department, highlighting its efforts to provide information about the special counsel’s investigation, including a transcript of Biden’s interview, though not the audio recording itself.

The investigation began following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report in February, which found evidence of Biden’s improper handling of classified information as a private citizen but did not recommend criminal charges.

Dissatisfied with this outcome, Republicans issued a subpoena for the audio recordings of Biden’s interviews, arguing that these recordings are crucial for understanding the special counsel’s characterization and ultimate decision not to prosecute. They allege that the White House is withholding the audio to avoid political damage.

House Republicans, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, argue that the audio recordings and transcripts are necessary to assess Biden’s mental state and to consider legislative reforms regarding the handling of sensitive documents by executive branch members.

The White House invoked executive privilege to block the release, accusing Republicans of seeking to misuse the recordings for political purposes. The Justice Department maintains that officials who assert executive privilege should not be prosecuted for contempt of Congress, citing historical precedents from previous administrations.

The lawsuit’s outcome remains uncertain, as courts have generally preferred the executive and legislative branches to resolve such disputes independently. However, past rulings, such as the 1974 Supreme Court decision during the Watergate scandal, suggest that executive privilege is not absolute and can be overridden in compelling circumstances.

This case will test the balance between executive privilege and congressional oversight, with significant implications for the ongoing political battle and the 2024 presidential campaign.