Former special counsel Robert Hur testified before the House Judiciary Committee on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents, sparking a heated debate between House Republicans and the Department of Justice.
The DOJ rejected requests from GOP lawmakers for the audio recordings of Hur’s interviews with Biden, leading to threats of holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte wrote in a letter that the department has already provided all necessary information and fully cooperated with the committees.
Republicans have been pushing for the audio recordings after Hur’s report earlier this year concluded that Biden should not face criminal charges due to insufficient evidence and the president’s “poor memory.” Biden had sat for a two-day interview with Hur last year regarding his handling of classified documents during his time as vice president.
Despite the DOJ providing redacted transcripts, House Republicans, including Committee Chairs Jim Jordan and James Comer, demanded the full, unredacted transcripts and audio files. The DOJ responded by providing transcripts of interviews with Biden’s ghostwriter as a further accommodation.
The Justice Department accused Republicans of seeking information for political purposes rather than legitimate oversight, leading to tensions between the committees and the DOJ. The threat of contempt of Congress proceedings looms as the committees consider their next steps.
The testimony and ongoing dispute highlight the contentious nature of the investigation into Biden’s handling of classified information and the challenges of balancing transparency with national security concerns.
