Biden's AG claims Congressional efforts 'to use contempt,' to 'defund' investigations are 'unfounded attacks' on DOJ

Biden administration Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters that an attempt to hold him in contempt or "defund" investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) are "unfounded attacks" on the federal agency.   

"We have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that committees get responses to their legitimate requests. But this is not one. To the contrary," Garland told reporters. He suggested a recent motion to hold him in contempt was not a "legitimate request."  

"There have been a series of unprecedented and frankly unfounded attacks on the Justice Department. This request, this effort to use contempt as a method of obtaining our sensitive law enforcement files is just the most recent. The effort to threaten to defund our investigations and the way in which there are contributions to an atmosphere that puts our agents and our prosecutors at risk. These are wrong."  

Garland stated that the DOJ is a "fundamental institution of our democracy" along with his comments and said that American citizens depend on the agency's "prosecutions are conducted according to the facts and the law and without political interference."  

His comments come after a House Oversight Committee hearing voted to approve a motion to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt on Thursday. The House Judiciary Committee also voted similarly to send the motion to hold the AG in contempt. The motion now moves to the House floor where it will be decided on by the general body of the House.   

The votes come after GOP House members requested for the audio recordings of President Joe Biden in his interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur were denied by the DOJ. House Republicans are saying that the audio will be more revealing than the transcripts and are needed for more investigation.