The White House criticized House Republicans for a hearing on Attorney General Merrick Garland, calling it a “distraction campaign” from their own inaction on important issues.
In a statement, White House Spokesman for Oversight and Investigations Ian Sams said the hearing was part of a “not-so-sophisticated distraction campaign” from “their own actions that are hurtling America to a dangerous and costly shutdown.” House Republicans have been unable to pass bills recently due to heated debates over spending, and a government shutdown is looming at the end of the month.
“They cannot even pass a military funding bill because extreme House Republicans are demanding devastating cuts like slashing thousands of preschool slots nationwide and thousands of law enforcement jobs including border agents, so they cranked up a circus of a hearing full of lies and disinformation with the sole goal of baselessly attacking President Biden and his family,” Sams said.
Garland defended the Justice Department against claims of political bias at the hearing on Wednesday. He answered questions from House Republicans about his appointment of Special Counsel David Weiss and the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation into the president’s son, Hunter Biden.
When asked by a lawmaker if claims that the Justice Department is stalling or limiting the investigation into the President’s son have “any basis in reality,” Garland replied, “No it does not.”
The White House’s criticism of the hearing is likely to further escalate tensions between the Biden administration and House Republicans. It is also likely to add fuel to the fire of the partisan divide in the United States.
