Attorney General Garland Asserts Independence from White House in Congressional Testimony Amid GOP Criticism

Attorney General Merrick Garland took a resolute stance before Congress on Wednesday, defending the independence of the Justice Department from both the White House and Congress. However, Republicans seized the opportunity to criticize Garland, particularly over his handling of high-profile investigations concerning Hunter Biden and Donald Trump.

Garland’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee included an emotional moment when he recounted his family’s escape from the Holocaust, which visibly moved him. He emphasized that the department’s primary duty is to uphold the rule of law and not to prioritize political convenience.

The backdrop to Garland’s testimony was a series of politically sensitive investigations. House Republicans are currently exploring the possibility of impeaching President Joe Biden, partially based on allegations of influence peddling by his son, Hunter.

Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and the committee’s chairman, criticized Garland for a plea deal offered to Hunter Biden, which collapsed in July. Jordan also raised concerns about Garland appointing a special counsel to continue the investigation and for prosecuting Donald Trump on allegations of mishandling classified documents.

Jordan asserted that the Justice Department seemed to be protecting President Biden while pursuing investigations against President Trump, creating a perceived bias.

In contrast, Rep. Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York and the ranking member on the panel, accused Republicans of engaging in political stunts based on unsubstantiated allegations. Nadler contended that they were seeking to impeach President Biden without just cause while shielding President Trump from allegations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

The White House dismissed the hearing as a distraction from more pressing concerns, such as the potential government shutdown on October 1 due to unapproved spending bills.

Garland also became visibly emotional while sharing the story of his family’s experiences during the Holocaust, highlighting his commitment to public service and equal protection under the law. He emphasized that his role as Attorney General is to serve the American people, not the president or Congress.

During the hearing, several Republican representatives questioned Garland about various issues, including a memo from the FBI’s Richmond, Virginia, office that mentioned “racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists” with ties to “radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology.” Garland rejected the idea that he would discriminate against any religious group.

On the topic of investigations, the handling of Hunter Biden’s case and Trump’s trials were scrutinized. Garland asserted that he never interfered with the investigations and reiterated that prosecutions are based on the law, not money or power.

Garland also warned against singling out career public servants for simply doing their jobs, especially during times of increased threats to their safety.

Despite the Attorney General’s defense of the Justice Department’s independence, the hearing underscored the political divisions surrounding high-profile investigations and their impact on public trust.