'Republican Majority' US House of Representatives Passes Resolution to Contempt of Congress Against Attorney General

The Republican-majority U.S. House of Representatives on the 12th (local time) adopted a resolution requesting the Department of Justice led by Merrick Garland to be charged with contempt of Congress. Tensions between the Republican Party and the administration are intensifying ahead of the November presidential election.

Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

According to AP News and others, the House voted on a resolution requesting the judicial authorities to charge Attorney General Garland with contempt of Congress during the plenary session, which passed with 216 votes in favor and 207 against. Among Republican lawmakers, only one, David Joyce, a former prosecutor, voted against it.

Attorney General Garland responded in a statement, saying, "It is very disappointing that the House has weaponized the important authority of Congress for partisan purposes," adding, "Today's vote ignores the constitutional separation of powers, the need to protect DOJ investigations, and the substantial amount of information we have provided." He emphasized, "We will uphold the important mission of the Department of Justice to defend democracy."

This move comes after Garland refused the Republican demand to submit special counsel testimony videos related to President Joe Biden. Republicans had previously requested the submission of investigation videos and audio from former special counsel Robert Hur, which had sparked controversy over President Biden's cognitive abilities. However, the White House and the DOJ rejected the request, citing potential negative impacts on future law enforcement.

According to AP News, Garland is the third Attorney General to be requested for contempt charges by Congress, following Eric Holder and William Barr. However, the likelihood of judicial authorities actually pursuing contempt charges against Garland is considered low.

AP News reported, "The White House's decision to assert executive privilege over the audio submission and protect it from Congress will make prosecution against Garland very difficult." Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler dismissed the resolution, saying, "This resolution will have no effect other than tarnishing the reputation of Attorney General Garland, who will be remembered as an excellent and dignified public official regardless of what the Republicans say."

On the other hand, within the Republican-majority House, opinions were expressed that the decision holds symbolic significance and that they have done what needed to be done. Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said, "This sends an important message," adding, "We will see what happens next, but I am satisfied with today's result that the House has done what it needed to do."