AG Garland Faces Backlash For Assertion Of Equal Justice
In a recent hearing, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland found himself under fire from conservative critics who questioned his claim that the Department of Justice applies the law uniformly to all citizens.
Garland’s statement came during an extensive cross-examination by Congress as part of its probe into allegations of DOJ politicization under the Biden administration.
During the hearing, Garland vehemently denied any politicization within the department, asserting that the same laws are applied to all individuals under investigation, regardless of their status, party affiliation, or background.
“Our job is to uphold the rule of law. That means we apply the same laws to everyone,” he claimed. “There is not one set of laws for the powerful and another for the powerless, one for the rich and another for the poor, one for Democrats, and another for Republicans; or different rules depending upon one’s race, or ethnicity or religion.”
“Our job is to pursue justice, without fear or favor. Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate,” he further stated.
Garland’s testimony was met with strong skepticism and criticism from many as conservatives on X slammed his claim, with some labeling it as “nonsense” and asserting that “no serious person believes” it. Fox News contributor Leo Terrell went as far as to accuse Garland of being a “liar.”
YOU ARE WATCHING A LIAR! https://t.co/mRAnoBXd1P
— LeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) September 20, 2023
Meanwhile, The Hodge Twins and political influencer Natalie Danelishen both echoed sentiments of disbelief, with another user writing, “Garland is such a lying weasel.”
Garland is such a lying weasel. https://t.co/r7t3YSZYHv
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) September 20, 2023
Even the official House Judiciary GOP account weighed in on the matter, expressing doubt by saying, “No one believes him.”
No one believes him. https://t.co/TES1BjVnix
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) September 20, 2023
This controversy surrounding Garland’s assertion is not new. It is part of a broader debate about the alleged politicization of the DOJ under the Biden administration, as former President Donald Trump and others have long claimed that the DOJ has been used as a weapon against him.
These allegations gained traction after the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago and the subsequent indictment of Trump on federal charges related to classified documents.
Republicans have also criticized Garland and the DOJ for their perceived aggressive investigative tactics towards traditional Catholic communities. Additionally, they have raised concerns about the disparity in the treatment of individuals involved in the Jan. 6th Capitol riot compared to those involved in the 2020 BLM/Antifa protests.
