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In an op-ed, Attorney General Merrick Garland has warned that growing attacks against the Justice Department are “dangerous for our democracy.”
In his Washington Post piece, Garland expressed serious concerns over the recent surge of “unfounded” accusations directed at the Justice Department. Garland wrote, “Disagreements about politics are good for our democracy. They are normal. But using conspiracy theories, falsehoods, violence, and threats of violence to affect political outcomes is not normal. The short-term political benefits of those tactics will never make up for the long-term cost to our country. Continued unfounded attacks against the Justice Department’s employees are dangerous for people’s safety. They are dangerous for our democracy. This must stop.”
He added, “We do not investigate people because of their last name, their political affiliation, the size of their bank account, where they come from or what they look like. We investigate and prosecute violations of federal law — nothing more, nothing less. We do this not only because of the principles that have long guided our work, but also because we know that our democracy cannot survive without a justice system that ensures the equal protection of law for all its citizens.”
Garland’s op-ed comes amid ongoing efforts by Republicans to scrutinize and challenge the Justice Department, with the establishment of a “weaponization” subcommittee in the House and the GOP’s focus on DOJ activities as part of their impeachment inquiries. This includes allegations of favoritism towards Hunter Biden during his tax investigation. Garland pointed out that the intensity of these attacks has only increased following federal and state prosecutions of former President Trump, leading to direct threats against DOJ staff.
Highlighting specific threats such as a recent bomb threat at an FBI field office, AG Garland wrote, “In recent weeks, we have seen an escalation of attacks that go far beyond public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate and necessary oversight of our work. They are baseless, personal and dangerous.” He added, “We will not be intimidated by these attacks. But it is absurd and dangerous that public servants, many of whom risk their lives every day, are being threatened for simply doing their jobs and adhering to the principles that have long guided the Justice Department’s work.”
