The House of Representatives recently voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for not turning over the audio of Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with President Biden about the classified documents scandal. However, Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) did not have faith in the Department of Justice to follow through on the charge, instead vowing to push for the inherent contempt of Congress this coming week in a recent appearance on Fox Business'sĀ Bottom Line.
Rep. Luna, taking a proactive stance, announced her plan earlier this week. She detailed the 'inherent contempt' process in a statement to Fox News Digital. This process involves the House holding an offender on trial for ignoring a subpoena. If found in contempt, the Sergeant-at-Arms arrests them until the end of the session, or they comply with the subpoena. This move highlights Luna's determination to ensure accountability.
Initially, Rep. Luna did not specify if she would make a privileged motion, a move that would force a vote within two legislative days, until after the initial criminal contempt vote. However, during her appearance onĀ Bottom Line, she hinted that this would be her next step, particularly now that AG Garland had been voted to be in contempt. This strategic approach underscores Luna's careful planning and calculated moves.
"I do not have faith in the Department of Justice. I do not think the American people do either. Look at the two-tiered justice system that we are seeing play out in this country," said Luna, adding, "So what I have actually done is I have actually filed a privileged motion, meaning I can bring this to the floor and call it up myself. It does not have to go through committee or through leadership."
Additionally, she declared that "Garland is not above the law, the Department of Justice is not above the law, and unless we really turn this around, we are going to lose this country."
As a result, Luna said the letter she spoke of circulating will be distributed again on Monday, "and if the Department of Justice does not do their job, we will do it for them."
