WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden on Thursday (Might 16) moved to dam Republicans within the US Home of Representatives from acquiring audio recordings of his interview with Particular Counsel Robert Hur over his retention of categorized data.
In a letter to the chairmen of the Home of Representatives Judiciary and Oversight committees, the Justice Division stated Biden had asserted govt privilege, a authorized doctrine that shields sure govt department data from disclosure.
The letter stated that Biden was additionally asserting govt privilege over the audio recordings of Hur’s interview together with his ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer.
The Home Oversight Committee on Thursday is poised to take procedural steps towards establishing a vote to carry Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to show over the audio recordings.
“Whereas our cooperation with Congress has been extraordinary, we even have a accountability to safeguard the confidentiality of legislation enforcement information the place disclosure would jeopardize future investigations,” wrote Carlos Felipe Uriarte, an assistant lawyer normal.
“The Lawyer Basic should draw a line that safeguards the division from improper political affect.”
Garland appointed Hur final yr to research Biden over his retention of categorized data courting again to his time serving as vice chairman beneath Barack Obama.
Hur finally declined to pursue felony costs, noting that Biden had cooperated with the probe, in distinction to former Republican President Donald Trump, who stonewalled an analogous inquiry and his now going through federal costs for retaining categorized data.
Hur described Biden as a “well-meaning, aged man with a poor reminiscence”, setting off a firestorm of criticism by Democrats.
The Justice Division has already turned over a wide range of data requested in congressional subpoenas issued by Home Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Home Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer in reference to the Hur investigation, together with transcribed interviews.
