Merrick Garland Provides Testimony for Department of Justice Response to Capitol Riots

Merrick Garland is testifying in front of the House Judiciary Committee and defending the Justice Department’s January 6th investigation today. In his opening statement, Garland told lawmakers the the ‘essence of the rule of law is that like cases are treated alike’ and that ‘there not be one rule for Democrats and another for Republicans, one rule for friends, another for foes; one rule for the rich and another for the poor; or different rules depending on one’s race or ethnicity.’

Lawmakers are questioning Garland at the same time the House prepares to approve the criminal contempt resolution for Steve Bannon and in addition to that, lawmakers could also seek to question Garland about the department’s broader response to the Capitol attack. Garland’s opening statement also calls the Capitol breach an intolerable assault, not only on the Capitol and the brave law enforcement personnel who sought to protect it, but also on a fundamental element of our Democracy: the peaceful transfer of power.”