Portrait of Merrick Garland
Politician · organisation
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Merrick Garland on Department of Justice

Guardian of DOJ independence (strong)

TL;DR

Merrick Garland views the Department of Justice as a non-political entity bound by norms of impartiality and the rule of law.

Key Points

  • He has committed the Department of Justice to prosecuting individuals who commit and profit from corporate malfeasance as a first priority in corporate criminal cases.

  • He vowed not to allow the Justice Department to be used as a political weapon amid political attacks claiming politicization under his leadership.

  • He supported the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act, joining a 2012 opinion against Florida's attempt to reduce early voting.

Summary

Merrick Garland's core position centers on restoring and rigorously defending the institutional integrity and political independence of the Department of Justice (DOJ). He has stated clearly that the department's norms are a promise not to use it as a political weapon and to treat all cases alike, regardless of the individuals involved or their political affiliation. Key evidence of this commitment includes his public defense of the professionalism and patriotism of DOJ employees against what he termed unfounded attacks, asserting that their work is driven by facts and law, not politics. He also personally approved decisions, such as seeking to unseal a search warrant for a former president, framing the action as faithful adherence to the rule of law applied evenly.

This stance has placed him between opposing political currents, drawing criticism from both sides: one faction accusing him of weaponizing the department and another for being too slow or too constrained by institutionalism, essentially failing to deploy the DOJ's full power against political adversaries. Throughout his tenure, Garland has emphasized that these norms must be upheld even when circumstances are difficult or when he and the department face external pressure. Furthermore, as Attorney General, he has prioritized holding individuals accountable for corporate malfeasance and has indicated a focus on addressing domestic threats and violence, such as terroristic acts against pro-life organizations.

Key Quotes

Faithful adherence to the rule of law is the bedrock principle of the Justice Department and of our democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Merrick Garland's core position is that the Department of Justice must operate under strict norms of political independence and impartiality. He insists that law enforcement decisions must be determined by facts and law alone, not by partisan influence from the White House or Congress. He sees this independence as essential for protecting civil rights and upholding the rule of law for everyone.

Yes, Merrick Garland has strongly defended the integrity and professionalism of the FBI and Justice Department personnel against what he calls unfounded attacks. He has denounced conspiracy theories and dangerous falsehoods aimed at the department's staff. He made it clear that under his watch, the DOJ works to pursue justice, not politics, and will not be intimidated by external pressure.

Attorney General Garland has underscored a renewed emphasis on corporate prosecutions, stating the DOJ's first priority in these cases is to prosecute the individuals who commit and profit from the malfeasance. He views individual prosecution as the best deterrent to corporate crime. He also announced plans for budgetary increases to fund more attorneys and FBI agents to support this focus.