Biden’s special counsel interview audio release blocked by White House

President Joe Biden has asserted executive privilege over audio of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur at the center a Republican effort to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Garland advised the Democratic president Thursday the audio falls within the scope of executive privilege. White House Counsel Ed Siskel writes in a letter to Congress lawmakers’ effort to obtain the recording is absent any legitimate purpose. The White House letter is a tacit admission there are moments from the interview it fears portray Biden in a negative light. It comes as the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Judiciary Committee are expected to hold hearings over the contempt effort.