The House Judiciary Committee, steered by the formidable Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), advanced a resolution on Thursday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland responsible for breaching Congressional standards. This action is deemed necessary because the Department of Justice (DOJ) could not provide the potentially damning audio clip of an interview President Joe Biden had with Special Counsel Robert Hur. The interview was a part of an investigation into the President's alleged mismanagement of sensitive material.

In a surprising display of executive power, the White House intervened to declare executive privilege over the contentious recording only a few hours before the committee vote. The purpose of this maneuver was an attempt to insulate Garland from the imminent contempt vote.

Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the DOJ, Carlos F. Uriarte, underscored that the invocation of executive privilege naturally results in contempt of Congress not being pursued in many instances. This sentiment was voiced in a letter addressed to both Chairman Jim Jordan and Chairman James Comer (R-KY).

Uriarte added that while the DOJ has made extensive efforts to cooperate with Congress, it is vital to maintain the discretion of law enforcement files. Any disclosure of such material might compromise forthcoming investigations. He further formalized that it is the prerogative of the Attorney General to establish a demarcation to protect the Department from undue political influence and safeguard the essence of their work.