
The White House’s decision to assert executive privilege and block the release of audio recordings from President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur has ignited a firestorm of criticism and accusations of stonewalling.
Following subpoenas issued by the House Committees on Oversight and Judiciary, demanding records, including the audio recordings, related to Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents, the administration defended its stance. White House Counsel Ed Siskel argued that the request was driven by partisan motives, accusing Republicans of seeking to “manipulate” the recordings for political gain.
Attorney General Merrick Garland supported the administration’s position, citing concerns about the potential impact on future investigations if the audio were made public. Despite efforts to provide transparency through the release of a transcript, the decision to withhold the audio has drawn condemnation from Republicans, who allege a cover-up.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) lambasted the move, suggesting that Biden’s reluctance to release the recordings stemmed from fears about his cognitive decline being exposed. Echoing these sentiments, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) characterized the situation as a “Hail Mary” from the White House to conceal Biden’s cognitive decline.
“Clearly President Biden and his advisors fear releasing the audio recordings of his interview because it will again reaffirm to the American people that President Biden’s mental state is in decline,” Comer declared in a statement. “The House Oversight Committee requires these recordings as part of our investigation of President Biden’s mishandling of classified documents. The White House is asserting executive privilege over the recordings, but it has already waived privilege by releasing the transcript of the interview. Today’s Hail Mary from the White House changes nothing for our committee. The House Oversight Committee will move forward with its markup of a resolution and report recommending to the House of Representatives that Attorney General Garland be held in contempt of Congress for defying a lawful subpoena.”
🚨Breaking: The House Judiciary Committee just voted to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to provide the lawfully subpoenaed audio tapes of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview of Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/HoYAqVmPYF
— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) May 16, 2024
The revelations from Hur’s investigation, including Biden’s purported memory lapses and struggles to recall key events, have fueled speculation about his fitness for office. While Biden vehemently denied allegations of mental impairment during a press conference, transcripts from the interview appear to contradict his assertions, raising questions about his credibility.
The House Judiciary Committee’s vote to advance a resolution recommending contempt charges against Garland underscores the escalating tensions between the executive and legislative branches. As the standoff continues, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to address concerns about transparency and accountability.
#BREAKING: The House Judiciary Committee just voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to provide the lawfully subpoenaed audio tapes of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview of President Biden.
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) May 16, 2024