Several Republicans call to detain Merrick Garland

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Republicans are going after Attorney General Merrick Garland because of his refusal to turn over tapes of President Biden’s interview with a Justice Department investigator.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is leading an effort to use an obscure legislative provision called ‘inherent contempt’ to have the House Sergeant at Arms detain Garland. She says she plans to force a vote on the effort this week.

“The Attorney General is not above the law and ultimately we will be pressing forward with this,” Luna said.

The conflict started when Republicans issued a subpoena to get access to audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with the Justice Department special counsel who investigated his handling of classified documents.

The Justice Department refused to give the tapes to lawmakers, citing executive privilege.

Congressman Russell Fry (R-S.C.) says lawmakers have a right to access the tapes.

“The information that Merrick Garland refuses to turn over to Congress is imperative to have our impeachment inquiry and our legislative oversight. We are entitled to the evidence,” Fry said.

House Republicans voted earlier this month to hold Garland in contempt for defying their subpoena. However, the Justice Department said it won’t pursue any contempt charges.

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas.) says that’s why Republicans need to take the fight further using inherent contempt.

“This new motion to hold Merrick Garland is the next natural step to rebuff the Biden administration’s attempt to run roughshod over our constitutional system,” Crenshaw said.

It isn’t clear if the resolution to detain Garland will have enough votes to pass through the House.

Republican Congressman John Duarte says he doesn’t plan to vote for it and doesn’t expect it to pass.

“It’s just, facially you can’t understand how this is credible, and you can’t understand how this would actually work,” Duarte said.

The House already received a written transcript of the interview. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) says he believes Republicans have ulterior motives for going after the tapes.

“They want this transcript to highlight Joe Biden stuttering,” Lieu said. “It is despicable and shameful.”

Democrats say they plan to vote against the Republican effort.

Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) called it silly.

“We’re not going to devote a lot of time and energy to their theatrics,” Aguilar said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says the Judiciary Committee is also planning to file a lawsuit against the DOJ to fight for the tapes.

“We’re going to be as aggressive as we can to use every tool in our arsenal to make sure that happens,” Johnson said.

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