Garland blasts contempt order, accuses Republicans of using it as 'partisan weapon'

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday criticized House Republicans for voting to hold him in contempt of Congress, saying they were using their authority as a “partisan weapon.”

The House passed the contempt resolution earlier Wednesday, by a vote of 216 to 207 along party lines. The resolution focuses on Garland's refusal to turn over an audio recording of President Joe Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden's handling of classified documents.

Garland's criticism of the GOP-led House comes as he takes a more vocal stance against accusations of partisanship within the Justice Department, according to The Hill.

“It is deeply disappointing that this House of Representatives has turned an important congressional authority into a partisan weapon,” Garland said in a statement after the vote. “Today's vote ignores the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Department's need to protect its investigations, and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the committees.

“I will always defend this department, its employees and its vital mission to defend our democracy,” Garland added.

The resolution constitutes a formal condemnation of Garland and serves as a referral to the Department of Justice for prosecution. However, it seems unlikely that there will be any legal consequences for the Attorney General.

Misty Severi is an evening reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on for more coverage.