Alabama Congressmen vote to hold Merrick Garland in contempt for ignoring subpoena

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted along party lines to hold Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress after he refused a lawful order from Congress to turn over subpoenaed audio of President Joseph R. Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. All six Republican members of the Alabama House delegation voted for the contempt of Congress resolution.

Following his vote in favor of the contempt resolution against Garland, Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) released a statement.

“Merrick Garland’s refusal to release the recordings from President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur raises serious questions about President Biden’s mental fitness to function as President,” said Rep. Palmer.

“The White House vehemently denied Special Counsel Hur’s depiction of President Biden as a ‘sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.’ Considering the investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents is closed, Biden does not face any legal jeopardy. Also, the fact that the written, unredacted transcript has been released, it makes no sense that AG Garland is willing to be charged in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with the subpoena and release the recording of the interview. Garland’s willingness to have his record tarnished by being held in contempt of Congress only increases speculation and concern about President Biden’s mental ability to effectively carry out his duties as President.”

Congressman Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) released a statement to Twitter after his vote for the measure.

I just voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for ignoring 2 subpoenas directing him to release the audio of Special Counsel Hur's interview with Joe Biden.

The American people deserve to hear what is on those tapes.

— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) June 12, 2024

“I just voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for ignoring 2 subpoenas directing him to release the audio of Special Counsel Hur’s interview with Joe Biden,” said Rep. Moore on the social media platform X. “The American people deserve to hear what is on those tapes.”

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong also released a statement after voting for the resolution.

Today, I voted with my colleagues to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. The facts are simple: The leadership at the Justice Department cannot withhold materials critical to Congress’ constitutional obligation to oversee and monitor the Executive.

— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) June 12, 2024

“Today, I voted with my colleagues to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress,” Strong (R-Monrovia) said. “The facts are simple: The leadership at the Justice Department cannot withhold materials critical to Congress’ constitutional obligation to oversee and monitor the Executive.”

Hur was tasked with investigating the mishandling of classified documents by Biden before he became President. Hur said that Biden was guilty of the offense, but declined to prosecute on the grounds that Biden (the oldest President in American history by far) had such a poor memory that he questioned his competency to even stand trial.

The Biden White House has claimed executive privilege over the tapes. Garland’s DOJ has concurred with the White House.

“It is deeply disappointing that this House of Representatives has turned a serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon,” the DOJ wrote in an opinion released to The Hill. “Today’s vote disregards the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Department’s need to protect its investigations, and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the Committees,” Garland said in a statement after the vote.”

Republicans argue that the Justice Department under Garland has been weaponized against them.

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