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Bart Jansen
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Christal Hayes
| USA TODAY
AG nominee Merrick Garland chokes on audience and talks about family
During the confirmation hearing, attorney general appointed Merrick Garland discussed his feelings of obligation to the country.
team video, USA TODAY
At a Senate confirmation hearing noted for its civility, Deputy Attorney General Merrick Garland promised on Monday that he would fiercely save the Justice Department from political interference and launched the far-reaching investigation into the deadly attack on Capitol Hill as his ” first priority “as the country’s chief police officer.
Garland, who was the last Justice Department employee in the Clinton administration, found little resistance from Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, some of whom praised the federal appeals court judge as “a very good choice” to lead a department troubled by politics during the Trump administration.
“I am not the president’s attorney,” said Garland, adding that he would “resign” in the face of any undue pressure exerted by the White House for political advantage.
“My job is to protect the Department of Justice,” said Garland. “This is my vote.”
‘Dangerous period’ of domestic terrorism
At the same time, the former prosecutor offered a stern warning for politically divisive times, saying the country faces a “more dangerous period” than when violent domestic forces unleashed the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, which still remains a terror. most deadly domestic attack in US history.
In his previous tenure at the Justice Department, Garland’s work was immersed in the fight against domestic terrorism when he oversaw the Oklahoma City investigation and prosecution of suicide bomber Timothy McVeigh, along with co-conspirator Terry Nichols.
At Monday’s hearing, he called the Capitol siege “the most heinous attack on democratic processes I have ever seen”.
If confirmed, Garland said his first act as attorney general would be to convene a meeting of prosecutors and investigators involved in the investigation, which has so far resulted in more than 230 arrests.
Garland said he will ask investigators to “look more closely” at the origins of the attack and determine the risk of future attacks.
Republicans raise questions about Hunter Biden, Donald Trump
The nominee’s responses seemed to appeal to key Republican panelists, including Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the senior Republican; South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, former committee chairman, and Texas Senator John Cornyn.
Cornyn said his consideration of Garland’s nomination was based on a promise that the judge would not tolerate political interference. And the nominee quickly made that promise.
“I would not have accepted this job if the policy had any influence on the processes,” said Garland.
Grassley, however, was openly effusive.
“Judge Garland is a good choice to lead the Department of Justice,” said the Iowa senator. “I don’t think anyone doubts his credentials … He has decades of experience as one of the most respected appellate judges in the country.”
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, referred to Garland’s “reputation for integrity and rejection of party interests”, urging him to bring those qualities into office if confirmed.
Asked at one point about the federal tax investigation involving President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden, Garland said he had not discussed the case with the president.
“I haven’t,” said Garland. “The president made it very clear in all public statements before and after my appointment that decisions on investigations and prosecutions will be left to the Department of Justice.”
Hunter Biden announced in December that the US attorney in Delaware was investigating his taxes. Republicans also questioned their business in Ukraine and China. The president expressed unwavering public support for his son.
Hunter Biden’s investigation was one of several critical points expected in an audience that never overflowed. When Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Warned against possible harassment by political opponents, including President Donald Trump or others in the previous administration, Garland said there would be no tolerance for cruel political targets.
“I was immune to any kind of pressure,” said Garland.
Merrick Garland, attorney general nom: “I don’t care who pushes me”
During the confirmation hearing, appointed attorney general Merrick Garland discussed how he would address external party pressures.
team video, USA TODAY
‘We still don’t have equal justice’
However, the hearing touched on a wide range of equally difficult issues facing the Biden Department of Justice, including the resumption of federal executions by the Trump administration.
Biden is an opponent of capital punishment, and Garland said he hopes that a moratorium on executions maintained during the Obama administration is likely to be reinstated.
Garland said he had “great” concerns about the federal government’s application of the death penalty. Thirteen federal inmates have been executed in the last months of the Trump administration.
Garland said the exonerations of the unjust convict made him “hesitate”.
“The most terrible thing happens when someone is executed for a crime they did not commit,” said Garland.
Before executions resumed by the Trump administration, the federal government suspended the death penalty for 17 years.
Recognizing last summer’s social justice protests, Garland highlighted the department’s Civil Rights Division mission to protect the rights of the “most vulnerable members of our society”.
“This mission remains urgent because we do not yet have equal justice,” said Garland. “Communities of color and other minorities still face discrimination in housing, education, employment and in the criminal justice system, and bear the brunt of the damage caused by the pandemic, pollution and climate change.”
Garland focuses on civil rights, fighting extremism
Merrick Garland, appointed by President Joe Biden as attorney general, promised during his confirmation hearing to prioritize civil rights, combat extremist attacks and ensure that the Justice Department remains politically independent. (February 22)
AP
Break with party politics?
Much of Monday’s audience, however, focused on how Garland would define the department’s relationship with the White House after four years in office and a president who sought favorable treatment for himself and his allies, often with missives. targeted from a formerly active Twitter. account.
Biden, who repeatedly protested the department’s politicization during the campaign, described his choice of Garland as an attempt to turn the department’s page around.
“The president appoints the attorney general to be the lawyer – not for any individual, but for the people of the United States,” Garland told the panel. “It is an appropriate time to reaffirm that the role of the attorney general is to serve the rule of law and
to ensure equal justice before the law. “
Merrick Garland: As Trump is just one of the big problems hanging over the audience
Garland said he would reaffirm a number of standards, including those that “strictly regulate communications with the White House”.
The warm greeting from the Senate Republicans on Monday provided the most important boost for the nominee, who also garnered the bipartisan support of four former attorney generals, including two Republicans.
Michael Mukasey and Alberto Gonzales, who served as attorney generals in the George W. Bush administration, were among more than 150 former Justice Department officials and US prosecutors who praised the federal appeals judge as “the right person” for a difficult job after the turmoil of the Trump administration.
A separate endorsement was filed on behalf of 61 former federal judges appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents.
“Judge Garland approaches the law with an unwavering commitment to equity and justice,” said the judges. “Those of us who worked directly with Judge Garland saw firsthand his strong moral compass and permanent integrity.”
“The Department of Justice’s work and reputation are as important as they ever were,” said former Justice Department officials. “Judge Garland is the right person to ensure fair administration of justice, whether it be related to national security, public integrity, civil rights, antitrust, crime or other urgent matters.
“He is also the right person to do this with integrity, humility and a complete understanding of the substantial responsibility on his shoulders right now.”
Senator Cory Booker, DN.J., gave similar praise to the nominee, which made Garland emotional for a moment.
Garland’s voice failed to report the escape of his Jewish family from persecution, based on this experience as a motivation for his call for public service.
“I feel obliged to give back to the country that welcomed us,” said Garland.
The sentiment expressed by the nominee made the audience room silent as senators, advisers and reporters turned their attention to Garland’s chair.