Biden’s Attorney General Arrested?
Here’s what Americans should know…
Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, alongside a coalition of House Republicans, issued a stark warning to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the delivery of tapes from special counsel Rob Hur’s interview with President Biden to Congress. Luna emphasized that Garland could face potential arrest if he continues to withhold these critical recordings.
During a press conference, Luna, supported by nine fellow Republicans spanning different factions within the party, including the Freedom Caucus and moderates, stated their intent to move forward with invoking inherent contempt against Garland. This action, if pursued, would authorize the House Sergeant-at-Arms to detain Garland for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena.
Luna underscored the constitutional basis of inherent contempt, highlighting that it grants Congress the unilateral power to ensure compliance with its subpoenas and to prevent obstruction of its legislative duties. She argued passionately that the ability of Congress to conduct effective oversight is essential to maintaining its status as a co-equal branch of government.
The debate over the tapes revolves around assertions of executive privilege by President Biden, which Garland has cited in defense of not turning over the recordings. This legal standoff has escalated tensions between Congress and the Department of Justice, with Republicans accusing the DOJ of selective enforcement and hindering congressional oversight.
Inherent contempt, a rarely utilized power historically, empowers Congress to enforce its subpoenas independently of the executive branch. Luna and her colleagues pointed to precedents where inherent contempt was successfully employed, underscoring its legitimacy and the necessity of its application in this instance.
The press conference also featured statements from other Republican representatives, such as Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Mark Alford of Missouri, who echoed Luna’s concerns about executive overreach and the potential erosion of congressional authority. They emphasized that allowing the DOJ to dictate compliance with congressional subpoenas would undermine the separation of powers and threaten the balance envisioned by the Constitution.
In response to questions about potential alternatives to invoking inherent contempt, Luna indicated a preference for immediate action rather than protracted legal battles, citing public distrust in governmental processes and the urgency of the issue at hand.
The looming threat of invoking inherent contempt against Attorney General Garland represents a significant escalation in the ongoing struggle between Congress and the executive branch over accountability and constitutional authority. As the situation develops, it promises to test the boundaries of congressional power and the principles of checks and balances that underpin American democracy.
