Merrick Garland slammed as Anna Paulina Luna calls for $10K daily fine until Biden-Hur audio tape released
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, is ramping up pressure on Attorney General Merrick Garland with a proposal to impose a daily fine of $10,000 until he releases audio tapes of Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with President Biden.
Luna has threatened to initiate a vote on her resolution invoking inherent contempt against Garland, a move rarely used in Congress, and which could lead to a trial by the House.
Delayed vote signals escalation in Congressional standoff
According to Fox News, Luna initially planned to bring the resolution to a vote last Friday but postponed it after discussions with Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana. She later confirmed her intention to proceed with the vote next week, declaring the issue "privileged," which compels the House to address it promptly.
Inherent contempt, an obscure congressional procedure, would authorize the House to try and convict Garland directly. Luna's resolution also proposes fines against Garland for withholding the tapes, marking a significant escalation in the standoff between Congress and the Department of Justice.
The controversy centers on Biden's interview about his handling of classified materials, which Garland has declined to release, citing executive privilege.
Tapes seen as key to assessing Biden's mental acuity
Republicans argue that the tapes are crucial to assessing Biden's mental acuity, especially following concerns raised after his recent debate performance against former President Trump.
House Republicans previously voted to hold Garland in contempt for failing to comply with requests for the tapes. The situation underscores broader partisan tensions over transparency and accountability within the Biden administration.
Luna's move comes amid renewed scrutiny of Biden's fitness for office, with Republicans questioning his ability to serve another term. Democrats, meanwhile, are divided on the implications of Luna's resolution, which invokes a seldom-used power dating back to the 1930s.
Public outcry on social media intensifies over Merrick Garland's handling of Biden-Hur tapes
Twitter reactions to the controversy over Attorney General Merrick Garland's refusal to release tapes of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur have been fervent.
One user said, "Arrest Garland!!!"
Another user commented, "I would say a million dollar a day fine for the corrupt Garland! @MDLAnews".
I would say a million dollar a day fine for the corrupt Garland! @MDLAnews
— Michael Roberts (@mikeroberts504) July 1, 2024
One added, "I thought he would be jailed by now!"
Another user replied, "Lock him up."
One added, "Make it $100K and one year in prison for everyday he refuses."
Make it $100K and one year in prison for everyday he refuses.
— AmericanRebel (@AmericanRebble) July 1, 2024
One user stated, "I agree with this fine."
Another said, "Brilliant, time to dox him and hire Antifa to protest his fecklessness??? Anna Paulina Luna calls for $10,000 per day fine on Garland for Biden-Hur audio tape."
Brilliant, time to dox him and hire Antifa to protest his fecklessness???
— 🇺🇸 Light Colonel Chaos 🇺🇸 (@Ibr8k4hoops) July 1, 2024
Anna Paulina Luna calls for $10,000 per day fine on Garland for Biden-Hur audio tape https://t.co/L8GQcuW8iJ
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