The Justice Department on Thursday informed House Republicans that President Joe Biden has formally asserted executive privilege over the audio of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur, a move that DOJ says effectively shields Attorney General Merrick Garland from any criminal exposure as the Republican lawmakers move toward trying to hold him in contempt of Congress.

The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee was meeting Thursday morning to move forward on a resolution recommending a full House contempt vote against Garland.

The Justice Department had previously provided a transcript of Biden's interview to House Republicans.