In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the mounting criticism surrounding the Biden administration’s Justice Department, asserting that criminal investigations are conducted solely based on facts and the law.
The column, which appeared on Tuesday, comes just a day before the House is set to vote on whether to hold Garland in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas related to the investigation into President Joe Biden’s mishandling of classified documents.
Garland emphasized the impartiality of the Justice Department, stating, “We do not investigate people because of their last name, their political affiliation, the size of their bank account, where they come from or what they look like. We investigate and prosecute violations of federal law — nothing more, nothing less.”
He further underscored the importance of adhering to these principles, not only as a longstanding tradition but also as a crucial element in preserving the nation’s democracy and ensuring equal protection under the law for all citizens.
The Attorney General’s remarks come amidst a politically charged climate, with former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for the upcoming election, facing indictments in four separate criminal cases.
Trump’s recent conviction in the paperwork case in New York City has further fueled the controversy, with his defense team accusing the presiding judge of issuing partisan rulings. However, Garland unequivocally denied any political influence in the prosecution of the former president, referring to the accusations as “conspiracy theories crafted and spread for the purpose of undermining public trust in the judicial process itself.”
Garland specifically addressed the false claims suggesting that the Justice Department had control over the case brought by a local district attorney in New York, which was ultimately resolved by a jury verdict in a state trial.
Garland claimed that the “dangerous falsehoods” surrounding the FBI’s law enforcement operations increase the risks faced by agents in the line of duty.
The Attorney General expressed concern over the efforts to intimidate and bully career public servants by singling them out publicly and repeatedly. He condemned the claims that the department is politicizing its work to influence the outcome of an election, emphasizing the danger of threatening public servants who risk their lives daily simply for adhering to the principles that have long guided the Justice Department’s work.
Garland’s opinion piece comes in response to what he describes as mainstream media reports indicating an ongoing effort to escalate attacks against the Justice Department, its work, and its employees.
The ongoing political turmoil surrounding the investigations into both President Biden and former President Trump has brought the issue of impartiality in the justice system to the forefront of public discourse.
In March, Garland also faced scrutiny for calling voter ID requirements “discriminatory, burdensome, and unnecessary” and an “attack” on voting rights.
During the speech, which took place at Tabernacle Baptist Church on the 59th anniversary of the Selma police assault on civil rights demonstrators, Garland asserted, “There are many things that are open to debate in America. One thing that must not be open for debate is the right of all eligible citizens to vote and to have their vote counted.” He argued that the voting rights of black Americans and “other voters of color” have never been consistently protected, and that recent court decisions have weakened the Voting Rights Act.
Garland emphasized the DOJ’s proactive stance, stating, “The right to vote is still under attack. And that is why the Justice Department is fighting back.” He highlighted the doubling of lawyers in the Justice Department’s Voting Section and discussed legal actions taken against states and jurisdictions to oppose what he considers restrictive ballot access measures.
Despite Garland’s comments, surveys have repeatedly shown that a significant majority of Americans favor mandating the presentation of a government-issued identification card as a prerequisite for casting a ballot.
