Garland defends against GOP’s contempt threats: “I will not be intimidated”

• "We will continue to do our jobs free from political influence. And we will not back down from defending democracy," Garland said during his opening remarks.
• Garland also sharply criticized the "heinous threats of violence" toward the DOJ's career public servants.

Driving the news: House Republicans zeroed in Tuesday on former President Trump's conviction in Manhattan last week, repeating the false criticisms that the charges are politically motivated.

• Garland emphasized Tuesday that the Justice Department is "completely independent" from the District Attorney's office that brought the 34 felony charges against Trump.
• "We do not control the Manhattan District Attorney," he said.

Zoom in: Republicans are seeking to hold Garland in contempt after the Justice Department refused to turn over audio of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur.

• Biden last month asserted executive privilege to block House Republicans from accessing audio recordings of his interview with Hur.

What he's saying: "We have made clear that we will not provide audio recordings, from which the transcripts you already have were created," Garland said during his opening remarks.

• "Releasing the audio would chill cooperation with the Department in future investigations."
• "And it could influence witnesses' answers if they thought the audio of their law enforcement interviews could be broadcast to Congress and the public."

Go deeper: House GOP's Garland contempt hearing beset by chaotic outbursts

Editor's note: This story was updated with new developments from the hearing.