In his opening statement, Garland will commit to overseeing the process of the demonstrators who invaded the United States Capitol on January 6 and will describe the insurrection as a “heinous attack that sought to break a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government. elected. ”
While the Biden government is clearly eager to show Garland’s credentials in law enforcement, officials are also trying to keep an eye out for racial justice protests that broke out last year and renewed activism against police abuse. The judge plans to declare that enforcement of civil rights laws is central to the Department of Justice, according to the prepared text.
“This mission remains urgent because we do not yet have equal justice,” Garland must say. “Communities of color and other minorities still face discrimination in housing, education, employment and in the criminal justice system; and withstand the impact of the damage caused by the pandemic, pollution and climate change. “
Parts of Garland’s statement appear to be intended to ease concerns among Republicans protesting the abuses in the surveillance process brought to light in the investigation into the links between the Trump campaign and Russia, while other parts sound like less-than-critical criticism. veiled in the way the Department of Justice operated under former President Donald Trump.
Garland will promise to apply “policies that protect the Department’s independence from party influence in law enforcement investigations” and “that establish guidelines for domestic FBI operations and collection of foreign intelligence”.
There are also calls for decent treatment of the press, more generous disclosure of government records under the Freedom of Information Act and a respectful approach to the DOJ career team. The last mention seems like a kind of retort to the comments of Attorney General William Barr last year, which many in the Department of Justice saw as underestimating career promoters.
Biden presented Garland as his choice to lead the Department of Justice on January 7. While the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) Sought to act quickly on the nomination, the composition of the Senate committees remained in limbo for weeks while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) drafted an organizational resolution to govern the equally divided chamber.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, reached an agreement with Durbin earlier this month to make an exception to the committee’s 28-day deadline between receiving a nominee’s paperwork and conducting an audience. The vote by the Garland committee is scheduled for March 1.
Although Senate Republicans blocked Garland’s appointment to the Supreme Court in 2016, several Republican lawmakers made positive comments about the judge and he is expected to receive broad bipartisan support for the attorney general.
The Justice Department also released Garland’s endorsement by civil rights groups and police organizations on Saturday. While letters from liberal racial justice advocates in support of Garland were widely expected, some of the police’s pledges of support were more surprising, although many in that community have long-standing ties to Biden.
Among those supporting Garland is the Brotherly Police Order, which endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 and last year.
“Throughout his tenure as federal prosecutor and federal judge, Judge Garland demonstrated an insightful legal mind, a reputation for justice and honesty and respect for the police,” FOP President Patrick Yoes wrote. “While we can anticipate that we may have some serious disagreements on certain issues, based on their character and dedication to public service and law enforcement, we are cautious, but hopeful, that we will be able to build a working relationship with Judge Garland , if it is confirmed. “