In a recent interview, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna from Florida expressed her desire for the House to utilize the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the contempt of Congress resolution against Attorney General Merrick Garland. This provision has not been used in over a century, but Luna is determined to take action.
During an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News Channelโs โSunday Morning Futures,โ Luna revealed that she had proposed a resolution for inherent contempt of Congress several months ago. This power, which hasn’t been utilized since the early 1900s, is granted to Congress.
“I had this ready to go, as I anticipated that the Department of Justice wouldn’t do their job,” as stated by Mediaite.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was made aware of the idea by Luna, according to Luna herself.
According to her, Congress has the authority to act as the punitive body and hold Garland accountable by utilizing the sergeant-at-arms to apprehend him. She further stated that they would bring him to the well of the House.
According to Luna, Congress can act as a check and balance on the Department of Justice with the help of this provision.
The House states that the sergeant-at-arms serves as the principal law enforcement and protocol officer, elected to the position. It is their duty to uphold order within the House.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently made a decision that Garland did not break any laws by not complying with the House Republicans’ request for the audio recording of President Biden’s discussion with special counsel Robert Hur.
According to the Department of Justice, Biden’s use of executive privilege on the tapes safeguards Garland from any legal action.
On Friday, Johnson announced that the House will be pursuing the contempt of Congress case in court after the DOJ declined to press charges. He expressed disappointment in the department’s decision, stating that it was unsurprising given their history of prosecuting Republicans such as Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, while failing to prosecute Garland.
Navarro and Bannon have been charged with contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to the events of Jan. 6. Navarro has already been serving time in prison since March, while Bannon is set to begin his sentence in the near future.
According to the DOJ, Bill Barr and Mark Meadows, both Republicans who were held in contempt, were not prosecuted.
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