Garland Defends Refusal to Release Biden Interview Audio

Attorney General Merrick Garland faced grilling from Republican lawmakers Tuesday over his refusal to release the audio recording of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. Garland argued that there is no legal basis for releasing the tape, while Republicans claimed it was crucial for assessing Biden's demeanor during the interview.

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday defended his refusal to release the audio recording of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, arguing that there is no legal basis for doing so and that it would harm future investigations.

The House Judiciary Committee summoned Garland to a hearing to discuss both the audio tape and former President Trump's felony conviction last week. Republican lawmakers hammered Garland over his refusal to release the tape, while Garland repeatedly defied their demands.

Garland argued that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already "gone beyond precedent" by publicizing the transcript of Biden's interview. He stated, "We have made clear that we will not provide audio recordings – from which the transcripts you already have were created. Releasing the audio would chill cooperation with the Department in future investigations. And it could influence witnesses’ answers if they thought the audio of their law enforcement interviews could be broadcast to Congress and the public."

Garland argued that lawmakers are seeking the audio for "no legitimate purpose" and that the attempt is part of "a long line of attacks on the Justice Department’s work."

Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) argued that the tape is critical to understanding Biden's "demeanor" during his five-hour interview with Hur. "What [needs to] be done by this committee is to observe the audio recording of the president testifying to see whether it comports with the transcript or whether it reveals things about his capacity or his veracity or anything else that comes from his demeanor as he is interviewed," Bishop told Garland.

"None of the things you just mentioned are a legislative purpose," Garland responded. "You have yet to suggest any law that you intend to pass or are thinking about in which the audio would make a difference over the transcript."

Republicans on the committee have threatened to hold Garland in contempt of Congress if he continues to refuse to hand over the audio recording.

During the hearing, other GOP lawmakers questioned Garland regarding Trump's conviction in New York. Garland repeatedly stated that the DOJ has no control over the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which brought the charges against Trump.

The hearing was heated, with Republicans accusing Garland of stonewalling their investigations and Democrats defending the Attorney General's actions. It remains to be seen whether the committee will ultimately move to hold Garland in contempt, but the controversy over the audio recording is likely to continue.