The House Judiciary Committee has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, seeking to obtain audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The lawsuit claims that the recordings are relevant to an impeachment inquiry into Biden’s handling of classified documents.The House Judiciary Committee has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, seeking to obtain audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The lawsuit claims that the recordings are relevant to an impeachment inquiry into Biden’s handling of classified documents. The committee argues that Biden’s invocation of executive privilege to withhold the recordings is unconstitutional. The complaint also requests audio recordings of Hur’s interview with Biden’s ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer. Republicans have repeatedly attempted to obtain the tapes after Hur declined to press charges against Biden. In response, the House voted in early June to hold Garland in contempt for failing to release the audio recordings. However, the Justice Department has provided a written transcript of Hur’s interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. The Justice Department has stated that it is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond to the court in due time. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the impeachment inquiry and the Justice Department’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Judiciary Committee filed a lawsuit Monday against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in a continuing effort to obtain audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel amid an investigation into the president’s handling of classified documents.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to overturn Biden’s invocation of executive privilege regarding the recordings of his interviews with Robert K. Hur.
The Republican-controlled committee argues in the lawsuit that the tapes are relevant to the impeachment inquiry into Biden and “whether the President deliberately withheld the classified materials for the benefit of his family … or himself.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said in a statement to States Newsroom that the “ministry is investigating the lawsuit and will respond to the court at the appropriate time.”
The complaint also asks for audio recordings of Hur’s interview with Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of Biden’s 2017 memoir.
It’s one of several attempts by Republicans to obtain the tapes after Hur declined to press charges against Biden, describing him as a “likable, well-meaning older man with a bad memory.” Biden has rejected many of those claims.
“The committee therefore needs these recordings to evaluate the special counsel’s characterization of the President, which he and White House lawyers have vigorously disputed, and to consider the ultimate recommendation that President Biden not be prosecuted,” the complaint said.
Additionally, Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading efforts to hold an “inherent contempt” vote when lawmakers return to Garland next week in hopes of obtaining the tapes.
Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said House Republicans “will be as aggressive as possible and will use every tool in our arsenal to ensure” the audiotapes are released.
The House voted in early June to hold Garland in contempt for failing to release the audio recordings. However, the Justice Department has provided a written transcript of Hur’s interviews with Biden to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
