Luna fails to get Garland to give her Biden-Hur tapes in the House.
House Democrats and some Republicans united in an unprecedented move to block Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s attempt to fine Attorney General Merrick Garland $10,000 per day until he released the audio tapes of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
Despite Democrats’ efforts to prevent the resolution from reaching the floor, it was scheduled for a vote on Thursday following a heated debate on Wednesday evening.
Luna, who has been vocal about her concerns regarding Biden’s mental acuity, especially after his lackluster performance in the CNN Presidential Debate, has been advocating for holding Garland in “inherent contempt.” She reached out to lawmakers across party lines to garner support for her cause.
Her original proposal aimed to compel the House sergeant-at-arms to arrest Garland, triggering a trial within the chamber. This procedure, rarely invoked and never employed on a Cabinet official before, dates back to the 1930s.
After discussions with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Luna agreed to postpone the vote until this week and revised her bill to impose fines on Garland instead of resorting to incarceration.
Responding to the GOP’s efforts, a Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson dismissed the move as unconstitutional, expressing confidence in their legal defense.
Republican lawmakers, who have been focused on obtaining the audio tapes of Biden’s interview as part of their inquiries into his handling of classified documents, have been met with staunch opposition from the DOJ. Biden has invoked executive privilege over the tapes, leading to a showdown between the branches of government.
The debate over releasing the audio tapes has intensified in recent months, with some GOP members questioning Biden’s cognitive abilities and fitness to hold office. The urgency to access the tapes was reignited after Biden’s shaky performance in the recent debate, where his fatigue and difficulties in articulating his thoughts were evident.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, along with other GOP members, also filed a lawsuit against Garland to compel the release of the tapes, further escalating the legal battle between the executive branch and Congress.
As the standoff continues between lawmakers and the DOJ, the fate of the audio tapes remains uncertain, with both sides digging in their heels in this high-stakes political showdown.
