House Republicans demand answers on Jan. 6 cases; Garland vows to stand firm against attacks
- A group of House Republicans is pressing for detailed information on every Jan. 6 criminal case.
- Attorney General Merrick Garland asserts his determination to resist attacks and uphold the integrity of the Justice Department.
- Tensions rise as lawmakers call for accountability amidst accusations of political interference.
Attorney General Merrick Garland strongly criticized recent attacks on the Justice Department during a hearing with lawmakers. He stated that he will not be intimidated by these attacks. Garland specifically condemned the conspiracy theory that accused the department of being involved in Donald Trump's state court prosecution. He emphasized that such claims are baseless and harmful to the judicial process. Garland's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee came as Republicans moved to hold him in contempt for not providing audio of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The White House argued that Republicans wanted the audio for political purposes. Garland defended his decision, stating that he will not jeopardize the effectiveness of future investigations by releasing the audio. Republicans accused Garland of using the Justice Department to target Trump, while Democrats emphasized the department's independence. Garland remained firm in his commitment to upholding the rule of law and stated that political attacks will not influence the department's decisions. He expressed determination to continue the department's work free from political interference. Overall, Garland's message was clear: the Justice Department will not be intimidated, and it will continue to defend democracy and uphold the law.