White House Asserts Executive Privilege to Shield Biden from Hur Audio Release

The White House claims executive privilege over audio and video recordings of President Biden's interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur, potentially hindering the House Judiciary Committee's probe into classified documents.

The White House has invoked executive privilege to shield President Joe Biden from the release of audio and video recordings of his interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur during the classified documents investigation.

In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Associate Attorney General Carlos Uriarte asserted that the executive branch has long held the position that "an official who asserts the President’s claim of executive privilege cannot be prosecuted for criminal contempt of Congress."

The move follows the Judiciary Committee's vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt Thursday afternoon, setting up a potential floor vote in the House.

Hur's investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents after his departure from office under President Obama concluded in February with the announcement that no criminal charges would be pursued. Hur cited Biden's age, good intentions, and lack of malicious intent.

However, the House Judiciary Committee is seeking the audio and video recordings of Biden's interviews with Hur to determine whether the president was fully cooperative and transparent during the investigation.

The White House argues that Biden asserted executive privilege at the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect confidential communications between the president and his advisors.

The DOJ has maintained that the release of these recordings could harm ongoing investigations and undermine the executive branch's ability to conduct private deliberations.

The executive privilege assertion has drawn criticism from Republicans, who accuse the Biden administration of obstructing justice and attempting to conceal information from Congress.

* Democrats have defended the White House's use of executive privilege, arguing that it is necessary to safeguard the president's ability to receive unfiltered advice from his advisors.

* The House Judiciary Committee's vote to hold Garland in contempt is seen as a symbolic gesture, as the committee lacks the authority to enforce its contempt citations.

* The White House's decision to assert executive privilege may further escalate tensions between the Biden administration and the Republican-controlled House, which is investigating several aspects of the president's conduct.

* The classified documents investigation remains ongoing, and it is unclear whether additional charges will be filed against Biden or his associates.

* The use of executive privilege has been a controversial issue for decades, with presidents from both parties invoking the privilege to protect sensitive information.

* The Supreme Court has ruled that the president's executive privilege is not absolute, and that Congress may compel the disclosure of information in certain circumstances.

* The House Judiciary Committee is expected to continue its investigation into the classified documents case, despite the White House's assertion of executive privilege.

* The outcome of the contempt vote against Garland will likely have little impact on the ongoing investigation, as the House lacks the authority to enforce its subpoena power.

* The Biden administration is likely to continue to assert executive privilege in response to congressional subpoenas, potentially leading to further legal battles between the two branches of government.