Representative Anna Paulina Luna's (R-FL) gambit to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in inherent contempt of Congress will be up for a vote this Friday. At a recent press conference, she expressed confidence that House Republicans, with their narrow majority, will vote to do so.
While AG Garland was voted to be held in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena regarding Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with President Joe Biden about his handling of classified documents, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to prosecute.
Rep. Luna emphasized the importance of the investigative process in our legislative system. She stated that those who interfere with these processes, including AG Garland, should be held accountable. As the head of all law enforcement within the United States, AG Garland should not be allowed to ignore a subpoena, as no one is above the law.
The Florida Congresswoman added, "It is important to note that if we as a Congress do not have the ability to enforce our investigative ability, then we are essentially going to be ignored, undercut, and essentially handicapped by all other branches, which would make us not a co-equal branch of government."
When asked if she believed the resolution to hold Garland in contempt would pass, Rep. Luna suggested that once House Republicans learned about the inherent contempt process, they would join the effort.
"Everyone is aware that this is backed by the Supreme Court, that we have the constitutional authority to do this, and that this is not a laughing matter. But a lot of people are very frustrated with the fact that it seems that Congress has been ignored and disrespected for a number of years," Luna continued.
She further noted that Democrats considered using an inherent contempt resolution in 2018, "but I believe the reason why they did not is because it also allows the House of Representatives to essentially display this to the American people [and] hold a hearing and if anyone wants to jump in on this, but that would also open people up to discovery, and I believe that [Representative Nancy] Pelosi (D-CA) did not want that."
