In a forthcoming address to Justice Department employees, Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to confront what he terms "conspiracy theories" and "dangerous falsehoods" targeting the agency. The speech, to be delivered in the historic Great Hall at Justice Department headquarters, aims to defend the department's integrity and impartiality amid accusations of politicization.
Garland, who assumed his role in March 2021 as the 86th Attorney General of the United States, will emphasize the department's commitment to unbiased law enforcement. This commitment dates back to the department's establishment in 1870, making it a cornerstone of the federal government for over 150 years.
The Attorney General is expected to condemn attacks on the department, stating:
"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."
[[Attorney General Merrick Garland]]
Garland will underscore the resilience of department employees in the face of these challenges, praising their dedication to impartial justice. This dedication reflects the department's long-standing motto, "Qui Pro Domina Justitia Sequitur" (Who prosecutes on behalf of justice).
The speech comes at a time when the Justice Department, which oversees crucial agencies like the FBI, DEA, and ATF, faces scrutiny over its handling of politically sensitive cases. These include investigations involving former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden's son, Hunter.
While not directly mentioning specific individuals or political parties, Garland is expected to address the broader context of these controversies. He will likely draw on the department's rich history, which includes overseeing federal law enforcement since the creation of the U.S. Attorney position by the Judiciary Act of 1789.
Garland's defense of the department's integrity echoes his previous statements, including testimony before a House committee in June 2024. In that appearance, he asserted that the department would not be intimidated by political pressure.
The Attorney General's speech is particularly significant given his position as seventh in the presidential line of succession and his role as a Cabinet member. It underscores the critical importance of maintaining public trust in an institution with an annual budget exceeding $30 billion and employing over 115,000 people nationwide.
As Garland prepares to address department employees in the art deco-styled Great Hall, adorned with murals depicting the role of justice in society, his words will resonate beyond the walls of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. They will serve as a reminder of the department's foundational principles and its ongoing commitment to upholding the rule of law in the face of modern challenges.