AG Garland has been in hot water recently. And it seems like he is doing nothing to change that.
But now, Garland’s recent comments have shocked even his own allies.
In a striking demonstration of double standards within the Department of Justice, Attorney General Merrick Garland recently refused to comply with congressional subpoenas demanding the audio recording of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. Garland’s justification was that he did not believe the subpoenas were “legitimate.”
This decision starkly contrasts with the treatment of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who is set to begin a prison sentence for his refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena issued by the January 6 Committee.
In May, Garland made headlines when he refused to turn over the audio of Biden’s interview to the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees.
“The Justice Department is a fundamental institution of our democracy,” Garland stated. “People depend on us to ensure that our investigations and our prosecutions are conducted according to the facts and the law and without political influence.” He asserted that the committees’ request for the audio file was not legitimate and that complying with it would “harm our ability in the future to successfully pursue sensitive investigations.”
FLASHBACK: Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters that he does not need to respond to Congressional subpoenas if he decides they are not legitimate pic.twitter.com/LiPiBVsKXZ
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 6, 2024
Garland defended the DOJ’s stance by citing Biden’s “protective assertion of privilege,” which he claimed justified withholding the audio from Congress.
Despite the Judiciary and Oversight Committees voting to hold Garland in contempt, the measure has yet to be approved by the House, leaving the issue unresolved.
During a congressional hearing in June, Garland reiterated his position, describing the request as “illegitimate” and criticizing Republicans who threatened to hold him in contempt.
He maintained that there was no bias in the justice system, a statement that many Americans find increasingly difficult to believe given the disparate treatment of high-profile figures like Bannon.
Bannon, a political commentator and former Trump adviser, has faced severe consequences for his noncompliance with a congressional subpoena.
The January 6 Committee had summoned Bannon to provide a deposition and produce documents related to the events leading up to the storming of the Capitol.
Bannon argued that the requested documents were protected by executive privilege, a claim stemming from former President Trump’s assertion of privilege over the materials.
Despite his defense, Bannon was charged with contempt of Congress in November 2021. Garland, at the time, highlighted the DOJ’s commitment to the rule of law:
“Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law, and pursues equal justice under the law.” This stance led to Bannon’s indictment, reflecting what Garland described as the department’s “steadfast commitment to these principles.”
In July 2022, Bannon was found guilty and sentenced to 120 days in prison. Although a judge suspended his sentence pending appeal, the conviction was upheld, and he has now been ordered to report to prison on July 1.
Bannon’s attorney, David Schoen, argued that Trump had invoked executive privilege, which prevented Bannon from testifying. Despite this, Bannon was sentenced, showcasing a stark contrast in the application of justice compared to Garland’s protection of Biden.
The disparity between the treatment of Bannon and the protection afforded to Biden has not gone unnoticed.
Many Americans argue that Garland’s refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas regarding Biden’s interview audio, while aggressively pursuing charges against Bannon, highlights a concerning double standard.
This discrepancy raises questions about the impartiality of the DOJ under Garland and Biden’s leadership.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
