The Department of Justice has declined the requests made by House Republicans for the audio recordings of special counsel Robert Hur’s interviews with President Joe Biden. Department officials are hesitant to comply with the GOP lawmakers’ demand as they have threatened to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress if their request is not fulfilled.
According to a letter obtained by USA TODAY, the Justice Department has stated that it has provided House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., with all the necessary information and has fully cooperated with their requests.
Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte responded to Jordan and Comer’s threat to hold Garland in contempt by stating that it is challenging to justify this action based on any lack of information regarding the Department’s actual conduct.
The letter continues by expressing concern about the Committees’ disappointment, emphasizing that the concern lies not in the lack of information provided, but rather in the fact that information was indeed given. The letter urges the Committees to prioritize conflict avoidance rather than actively seeking it.
Republicans have been advocating for the release of the interview audio following Hur’s explosive report, which exposed Biden’s handling of classified information. Hur ultimately determined that Biden should not be charged with any crimes, citing insufficient evidence and the president’s alleged “poor memory.”
During his tenure as vice president, Biden participated in a comprehensive two-day interview with Hur last year, discussing his handling of the documents.
During a marathon hearing in March, Hur provided testimony to the House Judiciary Committee and reaffirmed the findings of his report. The Justice Department acknowledged that the committees have been promptly and extensively furnished with a substantial amount of information, including Hur’s testimony.
In March, Jordan and Comer wrote a letter to Garland expressing their dissatisfaction with the redacted transcripts provided by the DOJ. They requested the complete, unredacted transcripts and audio files of Hur’s interviews with Biden and his ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer. The committee chairs set a deadline for the department to comply with their requests, which was Monday.
The two individuals made it clear that if there is a failure to comply, the Committees will explore additional measures, including invoking contempt of Congress proceedings.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) also provided lawmakers with the transcripts of Zwonitzer’s interviews with Hur, along with the letter. This was done as an additional courtesy, although the DOJ is uncertain whether the Committee has a specific requirement for these transcripts.
The Department accused Republicans in the letter of having interests that may not lie in receiving information to fulfill legitimate oversight or investigatory functions. Instead, they suggest that their interests may be more politically motivated, which should not play a role in how law enforcement files are handled.
In a statement, Comer emphasized that the Biden administration does not have the authority to dictate what Congress requires to exercise its oversight of the executive branch.
“We, as the American people, expect our leaders to be transparent and not obstructive,” Comer emphasized. “We will provide a prompt response to the Justice Department’s inquiry.”
The Justice Department has declined the requests made by Republican lawmakers for the release of audio recordings from an interview between President Joe Biden and former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur. This decision was made following a significant report that raised questions about the president’s involvement in a potential conflict of interest regarding his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings. The GOP had urged for the release of the audio to shed light on the nature of the conversation and to further investigate any potential wrongdoing. However, the Justice Department has decided against fulfilling this request, leaving many Republicans frustrated and seeking alternative avenues to obtain the sought-after recordings.
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