Garland Defends DOJ Independence Amid Partisan Pressure Over Biden, Trump Probes

Attorney General Merrick Garland defends DOJ as independent from White House and Congress amid investigations into Hunter Biden and Donald Trump.
Garland says DOJ job is to uphold rule of law, not do what's politically convenient, in testimony before House Judiciary Committee.
Republicans criticize Hunter Biden tax probe and argue Garland should have replaced Delaware US Attorney leading it.
Garland says prosecutions not based on money/power, pushes back on claims of 'sweetheart deal' for Biden due to his father being president.
Garland warns against intimidation of public servants doing their jobs amid increased threats; says DOJ won't back down from defending democracy.

usatoday.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/18/2023

Biden and Garland Relationship Chilled Over Perceived Missteps in Pursuit of Impartiality

Relations between President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland have grown cold due to the White House's perception that Garland's infatuation with special counsels is damaging the Justice Department's reputation and giving the appearance of investigations being walled off from political pressure.

9/20/2023

Garland Faces GOP Grilling in House Hearing Amid DOJ Scrutiny

Attorney General Merrick Garland will face tough questioning from House Republicans about the "weaponization" of the Justice Department under President Biden, with the focus on cases involving Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, as well as defending the agency against increased threats and scrutiny towards its agents.

9/20/2023

Jordan Grills Garland Over DOJ's Handling of Hunter Biden's Potential Burisma Charges

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan criticized Attorney General Merrick Garland in a hearing, questioning why the Justice Department allowed potential charges against Hunter Biden to expire and highlighting Biden's business dealings with Burisma in Ukraine.

9/21/2023

Garland Deflects Responsibility for Politicized Justice Department

Attorney General Merrick Garland appears to be oblivious and incurious about the corruption and failures within his own department, as he evades questions and fails to take responsibility for the Hunter Biden investigation and other issues.

9/20/2023

Garland Defends Justice Department Amid Criticism Over Hunter Biden Probe

Attorney General Merrick Garland refutes accusations of political bias by Republicans during a hearing regarding the indictment against Hunter Biden, as reported by CNN.

10/1/2023

Garland Defends Impartiality of Trump, Biden Probes in 60 Minutes Interview

Attorney General Merrick Garland discussed the federal prosecutions of former President Donald Trump in a 60 Minutes interview, emphasizing that the timing of the investigations is determined by the evidence and not influenced by partisan considerations.

10/2/2023

Garland Vows Non-Partisanship, Says He'd Resign if Biden Pushed Trump Probe

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated in an interview that he would resign if President Biden asked him to direct the Justice Department to investigate former President Trump, emphasizing that DOJ prosecutors are non-partisan and do not consider party affiliation in their decisions.

10/3/2023

Critics Say Garland's DOJ Favors Left While Cracking Down on Right

Attorney General Merrick Garland's recent interview on "60 Minutes" is criticized for being propaganda, filled with lies, and biased towards Democrats, highlighting the perceived two-tiered system of justice in the United States.

10/19/2023

Garland Responds to Rise in Threats Against Jewish, Muslim Groups During Israel-Gaza Conflict

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announces that the Justice Department is closely monitoring an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in the United States, particularly relating to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.