Representative Anna Paulina Luna is making headlines with her bold announcement to arrest Attorney General Merrick Garland for contempt of Congress charges.
Luna shared her intentions with Fox News Digital, announcing her plans to potentially invoke the rarely used "inherent contempt" resolution against Garland.
This legal move, dormant since the early 1900s, would allow direct action by the House sergeant at arms to arrest the Attorney General, circumventing the Department of Justice.
Luna is gearing up to use this aggressive legal tactic if the DOJ neglects to address a criminal contempt resolution supported by House GOP leaders. This resolution is a significant escalation from traditional measures, which typically involve referring the matter back to the Department of Justice for internal handling.
Luna is preparing a letter to circulate among her colleagues in the House on Wednesday. This letter will outline the necessity and historical context of the inherent contempt process, aiming to garner support for her initiative.
Inherent contempt, a procedure not utilized since the early 1900s, empowers the House sergeant at arms to arrest individuals who defy Congressional mandates. This mechanism was once a common practice but has fallen out of use over the past century.
By making the bill "privileged," Luna could force the House to address it within two legislative days, pushing for a rapid response to what she perceives as a lack of accountability within the Department of Justice.
The push to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt stems from his alleged failure to provide critical audio recordings. These recordings involve interviews conducted by Special Counsel Robert Hur with President Biden, which House Republicans demand access to as part of their oversight responsibilities.
Luna's initiative highlights the tightrope Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., walks with a slim two-vote majority in the House. This delicate balance makes every legislative move critical and contentious.
Luna expressed her distrust in the current administration's willingness to uphold justice, stating, "As of right now, we fully intend to bring it. I don't really have much faith in the Department of Justice. And I don't think the American people do either. But we are trying to bring back a level playing field and show that you know, there should be accountability all the way up to the top."
She further elaborated on her readiness to proceed with the inherent contempt resolution, emphasizing that if the Department of Justice fails to "do their jobs," she and her colleagues are prepared to "do it for them."
Luna also discussed the historical context of inherent contempt, recalling that it was "a pretty common practice" before its disuse in the early 20th century. She believes that educating the public and her peers about this process will illuminate the perceived injustices and double standards in the current system.
Her plan is to follow the traditional legislative process for criminal contempt before activating the inherent contempt proceedings. This approach sets a procedural timeline and emphasizes the gravity and urgency of the matter.
As Luna rallies support among her colleagues, the political landscape is bracing for a potentially historic vote that could redefine interactions between Congress and the Department of Justice.
The resolution's success hinges not only on the House's slim majority but also on the broader political climate, which is increasingly polarized and contentious.
In conclusion, Representative Luna's strategic maneuver through inherent contempt seeks to assert Congressional authority and ensure accountability at the highest levels of government. Her efforts illuminate a critical juncture in U.S. political dynamics, where legislative tools from the past are being reconsidered as viable options to address contemporary challenges.
