By Steve Neavling
Attorney General Merrick Garland plans to condemn “conspiracy theories” and “dangerous falsehoods” aimed at the Justice Department in a Thursday speech, where he will challenge Republican claims of politicization.
Speaking to U.S. attorneys and Justice Department employees in Washington, Garland will vigorously defend the department’s integrity, decrying what he calls “outrageous” attacks that endanger law enforcement personnel, the Associated Press reports.
“These attacks have taken the form of conspiracy theories, dangerous falsehoods, and attempts to bully and intimidate career public servants by publicly singling them out,” Garland will say, according to prepared remarks.
He will add that these actions have escalated to threats of violence, but he insists that the Justice Department will not be swayed by such tactics.
This speech marks Garland’s latest response to allegations that the Biden administration has politicized the Justice Department, particularly in cases involving former President Trump, who was indicted by a special counsel appointed by Garland in two separate criminal cases.
While Garland’s remarks do not specifically mention Trump or Republicans, they clearly target the narrative that the department has been weaponized against political opponents.
In his testimony before Congress in June, Garland firmly stated that the Justice Department remains committed to operating free from political influence, despite ongoing attacks.
