WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) voted this week to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress – a significant step in bringing accountability for Garland’s refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena regarding President Biden’s handling of classified documents.

On February 27, 2024, the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees issued subpoenas to Attorney General Garland for records related to an investigation into President Biden’s mishandling of classified information by Special Counsel Robert Hur. These were documents related to President Biden’s interview with the Special Counsel, including a recording from the interview, among additional production materials. The reason for this subpoena is because the White House and Congressional Democrats made far-fetched allegations claiming Special Counsel Hur took President Biden’s interview out of context when Hur claimed Biden acted counter to federal law, couldn’t remember even basic details, and only wasn’t charged with crimes because he came across as “an elderly man with a poor memory.” Obviously, the Democrats’ allegations could easily be addressed with the audio recording to supplement the transcript.

Despite the congressional subpoena, which is a summons to produce evidence for the committee’s investigation, Attorney General Garland refused to provide audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with the Special Counsel. This refusal has raised significant concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability within the federal government. It also called into question the sincerity of the White House’s ‘out of context’ claim.

The decision to hold the Attorney General in contempt was necessary to uphold the authority given to Congress by the Constitution and underscores the broader issue of the executive branch being unaccountable to the American people and their elected representatives.

Rep. Cloud released the following statement:

“If a special counsel deemed the President of the United States unfit to stand trial, the American people deserve full transparency to understand the reasons why. Attorney General Garland’s refusal to comply with a lawful subpoena undermines the essential checks and balances that are fundamental to our Constitution. This vote is not merely about the Attorney General’s actions; it is about Congress fulfilling its constitutional duty to oversee the executive branch and ensure it remains accountable.

When officials within the administration refuse to comply with subpoenas, it obstructs our ability to perform this crucial function and inform the American people. Congress must take a stand to reclaim its constitutional authority and protect the interests of the American people, ensuring that no administration, regardless of party, can hide and obstruct information from them. This is not just about one instance but about preserving the integrity and principles of our nation for future generations.”

The final vote was 216-207