PREVIEW

Merrick Garland Held in Contempt of Congress. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress on June 12, BBC reports. The resolution was passed by a 216-207 vote. Only one Republican, David Joyce, voted in opposition. "As a former prosecutor, I cannot in good conscience support a resolution that would further politicize our judicial system to score political points.", Rep. David Joyce, via statement. Garland is held in contempt of Congress for refusing to provide interview tapes with President Biden that were recorded during the Justice Department's classified document probe. Following the contempt vote, Garland said House Republicans have "turned a serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon". "Today’s vote disregards 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.", Merrick Garland, via statement. Garland is now the third U.S. attorney general in American history to be held in contempt of Congress, BBC reports. In an opinion piece published in the 'Washington Post' on June 11, Garland said that "the Justice Department is under attack like never before". He pointed to a rise in "conspiracy theories, falsehoods, violence and threats of violence towards department officials by Republican critics". "The short-term political benefits of those tactics will never make up for the long-term cost to our country.", Merrick Garland, via the 'Washington Post’. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT