Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday defended the Justice Department’s handling of separate. Special counsel investigations into classified. Documents linked to former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Saying there are no separate rules for Republicans and Democrats.
In his first public comments on the matter after more classified. Documents were found at Biden’s home in Delaware. Garland was asked if he believed the Justice Department.
Was handling the two investigations.
“The department has a set of rules and practices,” he said. “They are essential to keep us going. They ensure that we follow the rule of law. This means, among other things. That we have no separate rules for Democrats or Republicans. No separate rules for the powerful and the powerless, no separate rules for the rich or the poor. We apply information and the law in an impartial, nonpartisan manner in every case. That’s what we always do, and that’s what we do in the cases you’re referring to.”
Garland spoke at a roundtable discussion with members of the Justice Department. Reproductive Task Force as Republicans accused the Justice Department of treating Trump. And Biden following the discovery of classified. Documents from the Trump administration at his Mar-a-Lago house in Florida. The Obama administration discovered Biden’s Wilmington home and a Washington office he used.
“The role of the Judiciary is to apply the facts and the law in each case.
And reach appropriate decisions in an impartial. And unbiased manner, regardless of who the issues are.” Added Garland, the Biden nominee. “That is what we have done in each of these cases. And that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Garland appointed former federal prosecutor. Jack Smith in November as a pair of special counsels in the Trump investigation. The classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago and Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Garland announced this month that Robert Hurr. Who was a Trump-appointed federal prosecutor. Would serve as special counsel in the Biden investigation.
Congressional Republicans have launched their own investigation into Biden’s documents. Representative James Comer. Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair R-Key. And Ohio House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan are leading each investigation.
Biden and Trump have had contrasting reactions to the discovery of classified documents.
Which are supposed to be turned over to the National Archives. When the president or vice president leaves office.
The National Archives corresponded. With Trump officials for months after requesting. The return of the missing records before receiving some of those records in the box. Collection from Mar-a-Lago in January of last year. Trump later failed to follow a subpoena for the remaining records. Leading to an accidental search of his Florida home.
In Biden’s case, the National Archives was not aware of any missing records until the White House. Counsel’s Office notified it after the records were obtained by Biden’s lawyers. According to Richard Saber, special counsel to the president at the White House.
