Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) blasted Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for accusing Attorney General Merrick Garland of being in contempt of Congress for refusing to comment on active investigations.
Massie had pointed to Garland's testimony two years ago when he declined to comment on ongoing criminal investigations regarding the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The Kentucky representative alleged that Garland was in contempt of Congress for getting in the way of "our Constitutional duty to do oversight."
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Swalwell hit back at Massie during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, displaying a clock showing the number of days that Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has declined to testify before Congress under a subpoena related to Jan. 6, 2021.
"That is quite rich, because the guy who's leading the hearing room right now, Mr. Jordan, is about 500 days into evading his subpoena," Swalwell said. "So, if we're going to talk about contempt of Congress, let's get real. Are you serious?"
Swalwell blasted Massie for giving a "lecture" about subpoena compliance and contempt of Congress.
"Jim Jordan won't even honor a lawful subpoena. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? There is no credibility on that side," Swalwell said, referring to Republicans.
Garland testified Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee during its hearing on the weaponization of the Justice Department, one of many House GOP investigations into the Biden administration. The hearing focused heavily on the DOJ's role in the investigation into Hunter Biden and the details surrounding David Weiss's appointment as special counsel.
Massie grilled the attorney general about a history of officials declining to answer House lawmakers' questions out of deference to an ongoing investigation, calling the responses unacceptable.
"Aren't you, in fact, in contempt of Congress when you give us this answer? This is an answer that is appropriate at a press conference. It is not an answer that's appropriate when we are asking questions," Massie said to Garland. "We are the committee that is responsible for your creation, for the existence of your department, you cannot continue to give us these answers. Aren't you, in fact, in contempt of Congress, when you refuse to answer?"
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Garland pushed back against Massie without acknowledging the congressman's comment on whether he was in contempt of Congress.
"Congressman, I have the greatest respect for Congress. I also have the greatest respect for the Constitution and the laws of the United States. The protection of pending investigations and ongoing investigations ... goes back to the separation of powers," Garland said, adding that it is for the protection of the civil rights of those being investigated.