1) House sources are expecting Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) to force a vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in “inherent contempt” of Congress sometime in the middle of next week. Fox is told the vote likely comes Wednesday or Thursday.
What is “inherent contempt?”
It’s similar to “contempt” of Congress – in which the House voted to hold Garland earlier this month for failing to respond to a subpoena to provide audiotapes of the interview Special Counsel Robert Hur conducted with President Biden about the classified documents case.
But “inherent contempt” is a dramatic and historic escalation.
The House has not held anyone in inherent contempt since the 1930s. Prior to that, you must go back to the early 1800s and 1790s.
Yes. That’s correct.
With “inherent contempt,” the House approves the resolution – and doesn’t rely on the Justice Department to prosecute the contempt of Congress case. In this case, the House deploys its “inherent” powers and dispatches House Sergeant at Arms Bill McFarland and his team to “arrest” Garland. Ostensibly, Garland could be held BY CONGRESS (read that again) until he provides the audiotapes.
Such a scenario creates an extraordinary conflict between the legislative branch of government and the executive branch. Keep in mind that Garland is protected by armed FBI agents. Does this create some sort of a standoff?
Unclear. And no one seems to know on Capitol Hill.
Fox is told the vote likely comes Wednesday or Thursday.
OK, then. Let's sticky this until Wednesday or Thursday.
10:46 AM · Jun 26, 2024
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