In a recent development, the Justice Department has confirmed that Attorney General Merrick Garland will not face charges after House Republicans voted to hold him in contempt of Congress. This was in response to his refusal to provide audiotapes of President Joe Biden, which are protected by executive privilege.

Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte addressed the issue in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson. Uriarte explained that President Biden had asserted executive privilege, directing the Attorney General not to release the subpoenaed materials. The Department's stance has been consistent across administrations, stating that they will not prosecute an official for contempt of Congress when executive privilege is involved.

It is worth noting that previous instances in 2019 involving then-Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross did not lead to prosecution despite being held in contempt by the House. Similarly, former Trump White House officials Mark Meadows and Dan Scavino were not prosecuted after refusing to cooperate with the Jan. 6 committee's subpoenas in 2022.

Congress already possesses a transcript of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert K. Hur, who conducted an investigation into the president's handling of classified documents. Hur chose not to pursue charges against Biden, citing reasons such as his ability to portray himself sympathetically to a jury due to his elderly age and poor memory. Furthermore, the evidence collected by Hur's team did not establish Biden's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Garland had previously stated that releasing the audiotapes to Congress would jeopardize the Department's ability to conduct similar high-profile criminal investigations, particularly those requiring the voluntary cooperation of White House officials. He emphasized that the release of such recordings would harm future sensitive investigations.

During a recent hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, Garland strongly defended the judiciary system and the Department of Justice, labeling the Republican attacks as unprecedented and unfounded. He reassured that the Justice Department would not shy away from its commitment to defending democracy.

In conclusion, Attorney General Merrick Garland will not face charges for his refusal to provide audiotapes of President Biden protected by executive privilege. The Justice Department's longstanding position and previous precedents have supported the notion that executive privilege is a valid reason for withholding subpoenaed information. This latest development marks another chapter in the ongoing clash between the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government.