In a recent development, the Justice Department has stated that it will not pursue any action regarding the House's contempt referral of Attorney General Merrick Garland. The decision was conveyed through a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, where the DOJ cited its long-standing position against prosecuting executive branch officials who withhold information protected by executive privilege from Congress.

This announcement comes as no surprise, following the House's decision to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt for failing to release audio recordings from President Joe Biden's interview in special counsel Robert Hur's investigation of classified documents. The vote on this matter was mainly split along party lines.

The Department asserted its consistent stance and uniform practice, stating that the responses provided by Attorney General Garland to the subpoenas issued by the Committees did not constitute a criminal offense. Consequently, the Department confirmed that it would not present the congressional contempt citation before a grand jury or engage in any other prosecution actions against the Attorney General.

This decision by the Justice Department further highlights the ongoing tension between the legislative and executive branches over access to information and claims of executive privilege. While the House sought to compel the release of potentially critical audio materials, the DOJ firmly reiterated its longstanding position on the matter.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment in the Department's decision, reiterating the House's commitment to oversight and the necessity of obtaining the requested information for their investigative purposes. It remains to be seen whether any further actions will be taken by the House in response to this outcome.

This development marks another episode in the ongoing struggle for transparency and accountability within the government, as the balance between the powers and privileges of different branches of government continues to be tested.