Merrick Garland asserts he won’t allow DOJ to be used as ‘political tool’, Internet calls it ‘gaslighting’

WASHINGTON, DC: Attorney General Merrick Garland faced quite a backlash on social media after declaring that he would not let the Department of Justice (DOJ) be used as a political tool.

Speaking directly to US attorneys and other members of the Justice Department in Washington, Garland took a stand against growing claims from Republicans that the DOJ has become politicized.

"Our norms are a promise that we will not allow this department to be used as a political weapon. And our norms are a promise that we will not allow this nation to become a country where law enforcement is treated as an apparatus of politics," Garland announced in the Great Hall at Justice Department headquarters, as per AP.

Merrick Garland takes a stand against political interference

Merrick Garland's remarks follow intense criticism from Republicans, especially in light of the ongoing lawfare against former president Donald Trump.

Trump has been indicted in two separate criminal cases overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith—who was brought in by Garland from outside the department himself to run the high-profile investigations.

Trump has accused the DOJ of corruption and vowed to "completely overhaul" what he calls the "corrupt Department of Injustice" if he returns to the White House.

The 78-year-old firebrand didn’t stop there; he also threatened long-term prison sentences for those he believes have engaged in "unscrupulous behavior" during the election.

"This Depravity of Justice does not happen again," he said.

It's worth noting that Garland did not directly mention Trump or any Republican figures in his speech. Instead, he offered a general condemnation of "outrageous" attacks that put law enforcement officials at risk.

"These attacks have come in the form of conspiracy theories, dangerous falsehoods, efforts to bully and intimidate career public servants by repeatedly and publicly singling them out, and threats of actual violence," Garland said.

"Through your continued work, you have made clear that the Justice Department will not be intimidated by these attacks."

Trump has not hesitated to use social media as a platform to criticize not only Special Counsel Jack Smith but also the judges presiding over his cases. A majority of Republicans believe that the legal challenges Trump faces are politically motivated and orchestrated by President Joe Biden and the DOJ.

Merrick Garland denies bias by the Department of Justice

Merrick Garland’s tenure has not been without controversy, especially when it came to handling politically sensitive cases. One such case involves the President's son Hunter Biden, who recently pleaded guilty to federal tax charges in a case overseen by a different special counsel.

Garland’s critics argue that his department's actions in these cases suggest bias—a claim he vehemently denies.

"We must treat like cases alike," Garland insisted.

"There is not one rule for friends and another for foes, one rule for the powerful and another for the powerless, one rule for the rich and another for the poor, one rule for Democrats and another for Republicans, or different rules depending on one's race or ethnicity."

"To the contrary, we have only one rule: we follow the facts and apply the law in a way that respects the Constitution and protects civil liberties," Garland added.

Internet reacts as Merrick Garland says he won't allow DOJ to be used as 'political tool'

US attorney general Merrick Garland was widely mocked on social media for his comments.

"Garland is smoking the kosher crack again since his DOJ has been actually targeting conservatives for years," one posted on X.

"You've let the Democrats weaponize the DOJ against political opponents, and American Republicans just because we disagree with your policies and treatment of our country and people," another wrote.

"That from the most biased person in this Country. He has no room to speak, he's lied so much it's insane. Congress needs to pull him in again and grill him," a third user insisted.

"We literally need John Belushi to walk up in a toga and steal his podium. Then Chevy Chase can come out and say 'Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!'" someone else quipped.

"POS AG sounds scared. He knows the Trump Train is coming for accountability," a comment read.

"It takes a crazy person to hold a job where you gaslight the entire country every day," another chimed in.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.