Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, who is facing a contempt vote in Congress, is set to strongly criticize House Republicans on Tuesday. He will accuse his critics of trying to undermine the rule of law, spreading conspiracy theories, and disseminating falsehoods, according to his prepared remarks.
Mr. Garland, known for his calm demeanor, is expected to refute the baseless claim that the Justice Department was involved in the prosecution and conviction of former President Donald J. Trump on state charges.
“That conspiracy theory is an attack on the judicial process itself,” he plans to assert in his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
Both the committee and the House Oversight Committee recommended holding Mr. Garland in contempt for his refusal to provide audio recordings of interviews conducted by special counsel Robert K. Hur with President Biden last year. Despite clearing Mr. Biden of criminal wrongdoing regarding classified material, Mr. Hur criticized his handling of sensitive documents. In contrast, Mr. Trump was accused of endangering national security by hoarding government records at Mar-a-Lago.
“Some members of this committee and the Oversight Committee are seeking contempt as a way to obtain sensitive law enforcement information that could jeopardize future investigations,” Mr. Garland is expected to state. He has raised concerns that the recordings could be manipulated and used for pro-Trump political purposes.
“I will not be intimidated,” he continues in his prepared remarks. “And the Justice Department will not be intimidated.”
Last month, President Biden asserted executive privilege to prevent House Republicans from accessing the recordings, condemning their actions as a political maneuver with serious implications for federal law enforcement.
This decision came after the release of a transcript two months prior.
The intent was to shield the department and Mr. Garland from prosecution if House Republicans proceeded with a contempt vote. A floor vote has not yet been scheduled.
At the time, Mr. Garland stated that the Republicans’ actions were part of a pattern of unwarranted attacks on the department and the rule of law.
During his appearance on Tuesday, Mr. Garland is expected to warn Republicans that their actions are inciting dangerous threats against law enforcement officials and prosecutors.
“These attacks have not and will not influence our decision-making,” he plans to assert.
